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Big Spring Campground

Updated November 2, 2026. Based on Recreation.gov and National Park Service records. Published by Humblebee.

Campsites
133[1]
Nightly fee from
$10[2]
Reservations
Yes[3]
Longest RV or trailer
52 ft[4]

Big Spring is a campground run by the National Park Service in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri[5]. Recreation.gov lists 133 overnight campsites there, and the campground can be reserved on that site[1][3].

What to expect

NPS lists the campground as open all year, with some loops closed in winter[6]. Recreation.gov lists 102 standard nonelectric sites, 28 standard electric sites and 3 group tent only sites[1]. Recreation.gov shows that 130 sites accept an RV or trailer and 132 accept a tent[1][7]. The longest RV or trailer length listed for any site is 52 feet[4]. Recreation.gov shows electric hookups at 28 sites and no water or sewer hookups[8]. NPS notes that reservations are made online at Recreation.gov, and that from January 1, 2025 all sites are reservation only, with same-day reservations available[9]. Check-in is 1:00 PM and check-out is 12:00 PM on Recreation.gov[10][11].

Campsite details

From Recreation.gov campsite records. Details can change, so check the listing before you book.

Detail Value
Campsites[1] 133
Site types[1] 102 standard nonelectric, 28 standard electric, 3 group tent only area nonelectric
Reservations[3] Yes, on Recreation.gov
Accessible sites[12] 3
Hookups[8] electric 28, water 0, sewer 0 sites
Longest RV or trailer[4] 52 ft (median 38 ft)
Equipment[7] RV or trailer at 130 sites, tent at 132 sites
Pets[13] Allowed at all listed sites
Campfires[14] Allowed at all listed sites
Check-in[10] 1:00 PM
Check-out[11] 12:00 PM
People per site[15] 6 at most sites (6 to 45)

Camping fees

Nightly fees listed by the National Park Service. Fees can change by season.

Site or fee Per night
Electric Site Camping fee[16] $30
Non-electric sites fee[17] $20
Group sites fee[18] $140
Backcountry group site fee[19] $65
Winter non-electric site fee[2] $10
Winter electric site fee[20] $20

Amenities

Before you go

Questions people ask

Can you reserve a site at Big Spring Campground?
Yes, Big Spring can be reserved on Recreation.gov[3]. NPS notes that from January 1, 2025 all sites are reservation only, and same-day reservations are available[9].
How much does camping cost at Big Spring?
From April 15 to October 15, NPS lists $30 per night for an electric site and $20 per night for a non-electric site[16][17]. From October 16 to April 14, it lists $20 for electric and $10 for non-electric[2][20].
Are dogs allowed at Big Spring Campground?
Recreation.gov site details say pets are allowed at all 130 campsites that list this detail[13].
Does Big Spring have RV hookups?
Recreation.gov lists electric hookups at 28 sites and no water or sewer hookups[8]. The longest RV or trailer length listed is 52 feet[4].
Are campfires allowed at Big Spring?
Recreation.gov site details say campfires are allowed at all 133 campsites with this detail listed, and fire restrictions can apply at any time[14].

Facts and sources

  1. Recreation.gov lists 133 overnight campsites at Big Spring: 102 standard nonelectric, 28 standard electric, 3 group tent only area nonelectric. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  2. Camping fee, Winter non-electric site fee: $10 per night. National Park Service
  3. Big Spring can be reserved on Recreation.gov. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  4. Longest RV or trailer length allowed at any site at Big Spring: 52 feet (median across sites with a listed limit: 38 feet). Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  5. Big Spring is a campground managed by the National Park Service in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  6. Season and hours (NPS): Big Spring Campground is open year-round, though certain loops are closed in winter. To see which sites are available, visit the recreation.gov website. National Park Service
  7. Permitted equipment at Big Spring: 130 sites accept an RV or trailer and 132 accept a tent. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  8. Hookups at Big Spring per Recreation.gov site details: 28 sites with electric hookups (20 amp, 30 amp, 50 amp), 0 with water hookups, 0 with sewer hookups, out of 133 campsites. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  9. Reservation note from NPS: Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov. Starting on January 1, 2025, all sites will be available by reservation only. Same-day reservations are available. National Park Service
  10. Check-in time at Big Spring on Recreation.gov: 1:00 PM (for 131 of 133 sites). Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  11. Check-out time at Big Spring on Recreation.gov: 12:00 PM. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  12. 3 of the 133 campsites at Big Spring are marked accessible on Recreation.gov. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  13. Pets allowed per Recreation.gov site details at Big Spring: yes at all 130 campsites with this detail listed. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  14. Campfires allowed per Recreation.gov site details at Big Spring: yes at all 133 campsites with this detail listed. Fire restrictions can apply at any time. Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  15. Maximum people per campsite at Big Spring: 6 at most sites (range 6 to 45). Recreation.gov (RIDB)
  16. Camping fee, Electric Site Camping fee: $30 per night. National Park Service
  17. Camping fee, Non-electric sites fee: $20 per night. National Park Service
  18. Camping fee, Group sites fee: $140 per night. National Park Service
  19. Camping fee, Backcountry group site fee: $65 per night. National Park Service
  20. Camping fee, Winter electric site fee: $20 per night. National Park Service
  21. Amenities at Big Spring listed by NPS: toilets: Flush Toilets - year round; showers: Free - Year Round, Hot - Year Round; drinking water: Yes - seasonal; dump station: Yes - year round; cell reception: Yes - year round; camp store: No; firewood for sale:... National Park Service
  22. NPS campground rules for Big Spring. National Park Service

Site details come from Recreation.gov campsite records. They can lag behind changes on the ground. Fees change by season and site type. Quote only fee facts and say they can change. Description and rules facts are sources for facts only: retell in your own words, never copy 8 or more words in a row. Hookup, pet and campfire counts are per listed campsite record, not a promise for every site.

Campsite data: Recreation Information Database (RIDB), Recreation.gov, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or any agency.