Blue Spring campground
Blue Spring
Nearby points of interest include Round Spring Cave, which offers guided tours showcasing the natural beauty of the cave system. Alley Spring and Mill are also located nearby and have a rich history dating back to the 1800s. Visitors can tour the historic mill and learn about the area's past.
The campground amenities include fire pits, picnic tables, and toilets, but no showers are available. Visitors must be prepared to bring their own water and firewood. The campground is open year-round, but there are no reservations available, so visitors must arrive early to secure a spot.
Interesting facts about the area include that Blue Spring is the largest natural spring in Missouri and one of the deepest in the United States. It pumps out an average of 90 million gallons of water per day, making it a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling in the summer. Visitors should note that the water remains a chilly 56 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
The best time of year to visit Blue Spring Camping Area is in the spring or fall when the temperatures are mild, averaging around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and dropping to 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Summer temperatures can be hot and humid, reaching upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter temperatures can drop below freezing. Therefore, visitors must come prepared with appropriate clothing and gear for the season.
Sources:
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways website: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/blue-spring-camping-area.htm
- Missouri State Parks website: https://mostateparks.com/park/ozark-national-scenic-riverways
What's on-site at Blue Spring
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Blue Spring, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rymer Spring | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Bay Creek | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Alley Spring - Ozark National Scenic River | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Alley Spring | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Round Spring | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Blue Spring -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks Fork Near Mountain View | 69 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Alley Spring | 112 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Eminence | 275 cfs | → |
| Current River Above Akers | 315 cfs | → |
| Current River At Van Buren | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Eleven Point River Near Bardley | 498 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Blue Spring -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Dam - Black Rvr | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Natural Area Barn Hollow
- Conservation Area Angeline
- Gist Ranch Conservation Area
- Midvale Conservation Area
- Alley Spring Natural Area
- Alley Spring State Forest
Boat launches
Paddle runs
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Hebron Access Site To Southern Forest Boundary In Sec 33, T24n, R11w
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Blue Spring as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Blue Spring
Can I make reservations at Blue Spring?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Blue Spring?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Blue Spring.