The One County In Missouri With The Largest Spring You’ll Want To Visit

Missouri’s known for a whole lot of things – as the birthplace of toasted ravioli, the ice cream cone, gooey butter cake, and as the home of the Gateway Arch and Mark Twain’s boyhood town. Nature lovers may already be able to tell you the state lays claim to 4,400 springs, including Big Spring, the largest spring in Missouri and one of the largest springs in the United States. Let's take a look at why we love this scenic treasure in Missouri, and why we think you'll love it too.

Some say that Big Spring in Missouri, tucked away in Carter County, is the largest spring in the United States. Others, on the other hand, argue that Silver Spring in Florida and the Snake River Complex in Idaho might be the largest.

Whichever side you fall on, everyone can likely agree that Big Spring is the largest spring in Missouri, and its stats are impressive.

Big Spring boasts a 286-million-gallon average daily water flow. The spring’s water often travels as many as 45 miles, all underground, and that water holds an average of 70 tons of dissolved limestone each day.

While the stats are certainly impressive, wait until you see this natural wonder for yourself. Big Spring, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, sits just four miles south of Van Buren.

Viewing Big Spring is easy for all. When you pull into the parking area at the recreation area, you’ll catch your first glimpse of one of our favorite Missouri springs.

For closer views, follow the paved pathway that leads to Big Spring. The path is wheelchair-accessible.

If you’ve got the time, make a day or an overnight of your visit. Embark on one of the hiking trails; the Slough Trail is wheelchair-accessible.

Bring some food along, and enjoy a picnic in the picnic area, or check the hours of the on-site dining lodge.

Make an overnight of it at the Big Spring Campground, which features tent and RV sites. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, your best bet is to reserve a spot in advance for electric sites.

Find more information on Big Spring on the official website of the National Park Service.

Have you been to this scenic spot? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! Did you know one of the best ways to check out Missouri’s springs is on a picturesque hike? Yep, follow the Welch Spring Trail in Missouri that leads to an abandoned hospital.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/missouri/welch-spring-trail-ruins-mo/