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In the rolling, forested landscape of Big Spring, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
The Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby.
Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
This year-round campground has flush toilets and shower facilities available. Picnic tables, fire rings, and grills are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved.
Ranger-led campfire programs are offered in the campground amphitheater during summer months.
Reservations are accepted for three different group picnic areas. Be sure to specify which picnic area you desire. Big Spring Group Picnic Site is at the spring; Peavine and Chubb Hollow are along the river.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, and features over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features.
The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common.
Redbud and dogwoods are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months.
Scenic Big Spring is the largest freshwater spring in North America and produces an outflow of 280 million gallons a day.
Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are also nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and ranger-guided tours are available upon request.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 323-4236.
Big Spring Campground is located four miles south of Van Buren, Missouri. Turn south on Missouri Highway 103 and continue south for four miles to the Big Spring Unit of the park.
We camped here in October in the 200 loop, the campsite was clean. The river and spring was beautiful. There were several access points to the river. Great place for the entire family. I wish they would put showers on all of the restrooms. We're most likely to come back in the summer.
Been coming for a few years now.
As of 2023 there are no longer hot showers, which was the primary reason I'd camp here. With the cost of a regular site increasing, it's hard to justify coming here. For $20 a night now, Im not getting anything but a place to throw a tent and park my car. Even with the ambient heat, a cold shower is not fun and I won't be returning anymore. I'll just come park at the spring to enjoy the river front here and camp somewhere with amenities. Or atleast someplace cheaper, since you don't get anything for the price.
Overlooked the river from above. However river spots are very rare as most campers are long term and have the best spots. Call 6 months in advance for a shot at a river spot. Kids loved the beach below the camping site. Great floating nearby plus an ice cream shop in town.
I hate leaving only a 3 star review for this place. The river and Ozark National scenic Riverways is such a beautiful area. 5 star destination. But the “hot” showers were pathetic. They replaced the bathrooms in every loop and I was expecting them to add new showers to it.. but nope. Showers are still a drive away from the sites and it’s only one like warm shower if you’re lucky. The rest are cold showers. Not great when you’re camping in the fall. They were also gross. Mold growing on the curtains. The fire pits were full to the top with ashes. Couldn’t even lift the fire pit grate up to scoop out the ashes it was so thick. They used to keep them cleaned out. Budget cuts I suppose but pretty disappointing.
This campground was really quiet and nice when we stayed here. They are in the middle of doing some major upgrades it appears so some of the amenities were not available to us. The 200 block offered electricity and that’s where we stayed in our camper. We didn’t use the bathroom facilities much but seemed adequately maintained. Each site has a fire pit and a lantern hook. Our spot was really close to the river and was just a short walk away. This campground offers a few hiking trails and the Big Spring that is very scenic. Would like to come back in the summer but I imagine this place stays pretty packed. All in all we enjoyed our stay but we had most of everything we needed in our camper. Would definitely come back again. The park ranger we talked to at the visitors center was very helpful. It is being renovated right now, but this campground offers a dining lodge that’s right on the river and several cabins you can stay in as well on top of the regular campground.
