Ozark National Scenic Riverways - Big Spring (U.S. National Park Service)

Big Spring is beautiful in any season, but the fall colors and the morning mist make for a lovely scene.

Big Spring was one of Missouri's first state parks. It was a state park from 1932 until 1964 when the people of Missouri donated it, along with Alley and Round Spring State Parks to the National Park Service to become a part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

The Big Spring area contains the Big Spring of course, but also a campground, a picnic area, a dining lodge, trails and housekeeping cabins. It is easily located four miles south of Van Buren at the end of State Route 103.

The Big Spring is sometimes called America's biggest spring. In reality there are three contenders for that title: Big Spring, Idaho's Snake River Spring Complex and Florida's Silver Spring. Since the flow from springs varies with local rainfall, any of these three might be biggest on any given day depending on the weather in Missouri, Idaho and Florida! The truth is they are all about the same size.

In any case, at an average flow of 286 million gallons of water, Big Spring is an awesome sight and a geologic wonder. Underground passages carry water from as far as 45 miles away to emerge at the spring.Studies have shown that the water is carrying a load of dissolved limestone equivalent to 70 tons a day! This dissolved rock gives the spring its color and is also carving out a huge conduit underground.Should the spring ever go dry, a huge cave will be the result.

The spring can be seen from the parking area, and a wheelchair accessible walkway leads right to it. The accessible Slough Trail is nearby, along with several other trails that are not suitable for wheelchairs.

The Peavine Shelter

Big Spring Campground has sites for tents as well as RVs. Some have electric hook-ups and some do not. There are no water or sewer hook-ups, but a dump station is located nearby. During the warmer months reservations are recommended for electric sites. or call 877-444-6777. Rangers present on weekend evenings in the campground amphitheater during the summer. Various are held near the spring as well.

Picnic Areas are located throughout the area, with tables and grills. There are two picnic shelters, Big Spring Shelter, located near the Spring and Peavine Shelter, located near the campground, that can be reserved. or call 877-444-6777.

The Big Spring Lodge offers a variety of tasty and reasonably priced fare overlooking the Current River.

Big Spring Lodge and nearby cabins are wonderful examples of Depression era architecture. Built by the they are still solid and in use today. The Lodge serves fine meals during the warmer months, and the cabins are available to rent. The Lodge and Cabins are operated as a private business under permit from the National Park Service. Give them a call at 573-323-4423 or visit their