Post by Mike Sherry on Aug 27, 2011 5:31:42 GMT -6
For anyone considering a stay at Big Spring State Park, I highly recommend it. We stayed there Aug 19-22, 2011 and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Our site (210) was excellent, and only a few yards from the Current River. Loop 200 is the only one with electric sites, and there are only 25-30 sites in it, but by midday on Sunday, we were one of only 3 campers left in the loop. One caveat: it rained hard one night and several of the sites held big puddles of water the next morning. 210 wasn't flooded, but on some of the sites the pads went underwater. This only lasted a few hours and drained away quickly, but would have been messy for a while. 
Other than that, all sites are very nice, lots of shade, clean bathrooms and readily accessible water spigot right in the middle. In the other loops, there are huge shade trees all over and deer in the campgrounds almost all day. Amazing to me that this park wasn't busier, because it was so beautiful!
The park staff and campground host were very nice, and the rules were 'relaxed'. We mountain biked on the roads and trails, and walked the Spring in the evening mist, also very beautiful. There is also a dining hall in the park that had excellent, reasonably priced food, and you can sit and watch the sunset over the confluence of spring and river.
Also took a 4 hr tube float in town (The Landing), priced reasonably compared to other areas, well run and clean. Lots of people on the Current River, but mostly well-behaved and happy partiers!
We've made several trips around Missouri this year, but this was one of the best. You simply won't find a more beautiful place than Van Buren, or more friendly and welcoming people. Definitely on our "go back next year" list!
Mike & Sherry
Eureka, MO
Other than that, all sites are very nice, lots of shade, clean bathrooms and readily accessible water spigot right in the middle. In the other loops, there are huge shade trees all over and deer in the campgrounds almost all day. Amazing to me that this park wasn't busier, because it was so beautiful!The park staff and campground host were very nice, and the rules were 'relaxed'. We mountain biked on the roads and trails, and walked the Spring in the evening mist, also very beautiful. There is also a dining hall in the park that had excellent, reasonably priced food, and you can sit and watch the sunset over the confluence of spring and river.
Also took a 4 hr tube float in town (The Landing), priced reasonably compared to other areas, well run and clean. Lots of people on the Current River, but mostly well-behaved and happy partiers!
We've made several trips around Missouri this year, but this was one of the best. You simply won't find a more beautiful place than Van Buren, or more friendly and welcoming people. Definitely on our "go back next year" list!
Mike & Sherry
Eureka, MO
