Van Buren, MO. – Certain local campgrounds will be seeing price changes for camping and cave tours, coming up in April of this year.
Affected campgrounds include: Alley Spring, Big Spring, Two Rivers, Round Spring, Pulltite, Big Tree, Grubb, Gooseneck, Bay Creek, Blue Spring, Rymers, Shawnee Creek, Two Rivers (back-country site), Log Yard, Powder Mill, Sinking Creek, Cedar Grove, and Dee Murray.
In addition to these changes, other campgrounds will see an implementation of charge. Included campgrounds are: Jerktail, Broadfoot, and Clubhouse back-country campgrounds.
The price changes followed a 2021 feedback program where 43 people commented on the proposed changes. Many were in support of the increase. The intention of this price increase is to enhance the parks with new trails, better bathrooms, expanded exhibits and attractions, trash cleanup, and signs.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows Ozark National Scenic Riverways to keep approximately 96% of fees collected for operating and maintaining the park. This includes day-to-day costs for operating campgrounds, maintenance such as trash removal, and servicing restroom facilities, as well as longer-term improvements like upgrading restrooms and showers, constructing and maintaining trails, improving campgrounds, and providing programs for visitors.
Peak Season Rates (April 15 – October 15) Current Rate New Rate
Back-country campsite $5/night $10/night
Back-country cluster campsite $15/ night $25/night
Back-country group campsite $50/night $65/night
Front-country non-electric campsite $16/night $20/night
Front-country electric campsite $19/night $30/night
Front-country cluster campsite $35/night $45/night
Front-country group campsite $100/night $140/night
Off-Season Rates (October 16 – April 14) Current Rate New Rate
Front-country non-electric campsite $0/night $10/night
Front-country electric campsite $0/night $20/night
Front-country group campsite $0/night $50/night
Chubb Hollow group campsite $0/night $25/night
Round Spring Cave Tours (Memorial Day to Labor Day) Current Rate New Rate
Cave tour (adult) $5 per person $10 per person
Cave tour (child age 12 and under) $2 per person $5 per person
