Big Spring- A Natural Wonder
Big Spring, located near Van Buren, is the largest single-source
spring in the world, putting out an average of 280 million gallons
of water per day.
The spring draws water from a vast area. Tests using dye showed
that surface water from streams more than forty miles away travels
through underground channels to the spring.
Big Spring became one of Missouri's first state parks in the 1920's,
and was absorbed into the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in 1971.
The spring is a beautiful retreat on a warm summer day. The cool
water and the shaded cliffs provide a welcome respite from the
heat.
For the young and the young at heart, the small caves in the cliffs
behind the spring offer a unique view of the way the spring was
formed.
On the weekends during the summer, there are a number of old time
craft and trade demonstrations at the park. You can see everything
from quilting demonstrations to a craftsman designing a canoe
the way the pioneers who first explored this region did.
Last year, Big Spring park celebrated the 70th anniversary of
the Civilian Conservation Corps' work in the park. The young people
who joined this Depression-era jobs program designed many of the
buildings still used in the park today.
They built the orginal trail around the spring, with its stone
steps and natural feel that makes it seem like it had always been
there.
They built dikes near the spring's outlet into Current River that
possibly kept the spring from being swallowed up by the river.
Many of the cabins built by the CCC in the 1930's are still available
for rent.
There are a number of other things to do and see in the Van Buren
area, as well.
On your way to or from the spring, take a detour onto Skyline
Drive. The road winds along the side of the mountain, and provides
many breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and hills.
There are also numerous ways to explore the Current River.
You can take a relaxing float for two or three hours along a short,
scenic stretch of the river, if that is your style.
Outfitters also offer day-long excursions down the river, and
for those who really want to get to know the river, there are
also two and three day packages available when you can camp along
the rivers' edge at night and float during the day.
The river also has a wide variety of fish to challenge any angler.
Fishing is permitted anywhere along the Current and Jacks Fork
rivers, except in protected spring outlets. These areas will be
clearly marked as no fishing zones.