Big Bear River Resort










Big Bear River Resort Overview
Rating
Phone (417) 993-2628
Address 372 Corkery Rd, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA
Website https://bigbearriverresort.com/
Hours
Monday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Big Bear River Resort Location & Map
MissouriDallas CountyLebanonCorkery Rd
Big Bear River Resort About
For anyone in Missouri craving an escape into nature, filled with the thrill of a river adventure or the peaceful comfort of a campground, Big Bear River Resort in Lebanon offers an exceptional experience. Nestled along a scenic river, this resort is much more than just a place to pitch a tent or park your RV; it’s a destination where unforgettable memories are made, whether you're floating down the river, enjoying a cozy cabin stay, or simply relaxing by the campfire. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and a wide array of activities, Big Bear River Resort has quickly become a beloved spot for families, friends, and solo adventurers seeking a refreshing break from the everyday.
What truly sets Big Bear River Resort apart is its commitment to creating a "family-friendly" environment where every guest feels like part of the extended Big Bear family. From the moment you arrive, the team, led by individuals like Michelle, makes sure you feel at home, offering helpful assistance and a genuine warmth that permeates the entire resort. Whether you're a seasoned camper, a first-time floater, or looking for the comforts of a cabin, Big Bear River Resort provides a diverse range of accommodations and activities designed to cater to various preferences, ensuring a comfortable and exhilarating outdoor experience right here in the heart of Missouri.
Big Bear River Resort is conveniently located at 372 Corkery Rd, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA. This prime location in Lebanon, Missouri, places it within easy reach for many residents across the state, making it an ideal choice for weekend getaways or longer vacation periods. Lebanon, situated in Laclede County, is well-connected by major roadways, allowing for straightforward travel to the resort from various parts of Missouri. The resort's proximity to the river is a key highlight, ensuring guests have direct and easy access to their floating adventures.
The rural setting provides a peaceful backdrop for outdoor recreation, yet it’s not so remote that it becomes inconvenient. While enjoying the tranquility of nature, guests can still access necessary supplies and local attractions within Lebanon. The accessibility to the river for float trips is particularly well-managed, with the resort team providing transportation to drop-off points and efficient pick-up services, which significantly enhances the overall experience for those eager to hit the water. This combination of a serene natural environment and practical accessibility makes Big Bear River Resort a truly attractive destination for Missourians seeking an outdoor escape.
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River Float Trips: Big Bear River Resort specializes in providing organized float trips. They offer transportation to the drop-in location and assist guests in getting their rafts or chosen watercraft ready. The take-out process is also well-managed, with staff readily available to pick up guests and their equipment, ensuring a seamless river experience. They manage river conditions, as evidenced by their ability to facilitate floats even after recent rain, ensuring the river is safe yet enjoyable.
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Camping Sites: For those who prefer traditional camping, the resort offers dedicated camper sites. Guests have reported positive experiences with camping, indicating a comfortable and welcoming environment for those bringing their own RVs or tents.
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Cabin Rentals: A significant offering is their range of clean and well-equipped cabins. These cabins, like the "Paddington" mentioned in reviews, come with essential amenities, including cooking supplies, bath towels, and even modern conveniences such as washers and dryers in some units. Smaller cabins offer comfortable sleeping arrangements, mini-fridges, microwaves, air conditioning, and a front porch, providing a more comfortable alternative to tent camping, especially during inclement weather.
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Transportation Services: A crucial service for float trips is the transportation provided to and from the river. Guests are taken to the drop-in point, and then picked up at the designated take-out location, making the logistics of a river adventure effortless.
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Customer Service and Hospitality: The resort prides itself on exceptional customer service. Staff members, including Michelle and Gary, are consistently described as "very friendly," "very helpful," and making guests "feel like family." This welcoming approach significantly enhances the overall guest experience.
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Restroom Facilities: For campers and those staying in cabins without private baths, there are communal bathrooms located at the main office house. These are described as "decently kept." While they might feature curtains instead of doors on stalls in some areas, they provide necessary facilities for guests.
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Family-Friendly Activities: The resort promotes a family-friendly atmosphere, offering activities like "Saturday night karaoke," which provides entertainment for all ages and fosters a lively community spirit.
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Exceptional River Access and Management: The resort's ability to facilitate float trips even after heavy rain, ensuring safety and enjoyment, is a major highlight. Their efficient drop-off and pick-up services make river adventures stress-free and highly enjoyable.
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Clean and Well-Equipped Accommodations: Both the camping sites and cabins are noted for their cleanliness. The cabins, in particular, stand out for being "very clean" and offering all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, from cooking essentials to towels and even in-unit laundry in some larger cabins.
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Warm and Welcoming Staff: The consistent praise for Michelle and her team, who make guests "feel like family" and are "very friendly and very helpful," is a significant differentiator. This genuine hospitality contributes immensely to the positive overall experience.
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Variety of Lodging Options: The availability of both camping sites and comfortable cabins caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets, allowing guests to choose the experience that best suits their needs.
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Engaging Entertainment: The "Saturday night karaoke" hosted by Gary adds a fun and memorable element to the resort experience, providing entertainment and a chance for guests to socialize.
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Tranquil Environment (especially mid-week): While weekend atmospheres might be livelier, the resort is described as "quiet there as expected on a Mon-Wed trip," indicating a peaceful environment perfect for relaxation during off-peak times.
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Commitment to Cleanliness: A comparison to other resorts mentioned in reviews (less trash seen than NRO last year) underscores Big Bear River Resort's dedication to maintaining a clean and pleasant environment for its guests.
While the provided customer reviews do not explicitly detail current promotions or special offers, it is common for resorts like Big Bear River Resort, especially those focusing on outdoor activities and seasonal demand, to have various deals available. These might include:
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Group Discounts: For large groups planning a float trip or camping adventure.
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Mid-Week Specials: To encourage visits during less busy periods, as the resort is noted to be quieter on weekdays.
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Off-Season Rates: Lower prices for stays during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when demand might be lower.
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Package Deals: Bundling cabin rentals with float trips or other activities.
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Return Guest Incentives: Loyalty programs or discounts for guests who frequently return, as many reviewers express a desire to "definitely plan on doing it again."
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on any promotions, it is highly recommended to "Call Michelle & book your adventure!!" as one satisfied customer suggested. Direct communication with the resort management will provide you with all the details on how to make your Big Bear River Resort experience even more enjoyable and economical.
Ready to plan your next river adventure or relaxing cabin getaway? You can easily get in touch with Big Bear River Resort using the following contact details:
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Address: 372 Corkery Rd, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA
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Phone: (417) 993-2628
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Mobile Phone: +1 417-993-2628
Don't hesitate to give them a call to inquire about availability, book your float trip, or reserve a cabin. The friendly and helpful team, like Michelle, is ready to assist you in planning your perfect Missouri outdoor experience.
For Missouri locals, Big Bear River Resort stands out as an exceptionally suitable destination for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its accessible location in Lebanon means that a fantastic outdoor escape is never too far away. This ease of access makes it perfect for weekend trips, family vacations, or even spontaneous adventures without the hassle of extensive travel, allowing Missourians to maximize their leisure time right within their home state.
Secondly, the resort's comprehensive offerings cater to a wide range of local preferences. Whether you're an avid camper with your own rig, seeking the rustic charm of tent camping, or prefer the comforts of a clean, well-equipped cabin (some even with modern conveniences like a washer and dryer!), Big Bear has an option for you. This versatility ensures that families, couples, and groups of friends can all find their ideal way to enjoy the Missouri outdoors. The emphasis on clean accommodations and well-maintained facilities directly aligns with the expectations of those looking for a reliable and pleasant vacation spot.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the resort cultivates a genuinely welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere. The consistent praise for the staff, like Michelle and Gary, who make guests "feel like family" and go the extra mile to ensure enjoyment, speaks volumes. For Missourians, who often value hospitality and community, this aspect makes Big Bear River Resort feel like a true home away from home. The organized float trips, complete with seamless logistics, and the engaging Saturday night karaoke, add layers of fun and ease that make planning a memorable outing simple and enjoyable. It’s a place where local families can create lasting memories, repeatedly, just as many satisfied customers have already done.
Customer Reviews
The river had flooded due to recent rain but came down enough for us to float. They took us to the drop-in location & got our raft in & ready for us. River was moving well but not bad, we enjoyed every minute!! Take out was good they were right there took care of everything & Michelle gave us a ride back up to our cabin ❤️ everyone was very friendly and very helpful!! Can't wait to do it again. I definitely love Big Bear River Resort!! Love how welcoming Michelle & her team are very family-friendly! We camped in the Camper last year 2024 & they made us feel like family. This year, we did a cabin it was very clean & they had everything we needed to cook with & the bathrooms have bath towels! We stayed in the Paddington, and it even has a washer & dryer!! Definitely plan on doing it again!! Saturday night karaoke for everyone!!! Thank you, Gary we had a blast!! Call Michelle & book your adventure!!
We stayed in the little cabins and it was much better than tent camping especially since it rained. You get enough room for our family of 3 to sleep comfortably, 2 beds, microwave, mini fridge, little front porch, air conditioning. The bathrooms are at the main office house not too far, decently kept, only thing is there are only curtains not doors on stalls and my husband felt awkward. We got to float on Wednesday and it was a very nice day. It was quiet there as expected on a Mon-Wed trip. Not sure how it is on weekends. Much less trash seen around than NRO last year. The owners or people we met who ran the place seemed like nice people. I would suggest maybe put a cheap broom on the little cabins porch because dirt tracks up there easy. Thanks for the good time. Hope this place continues to do well.
I've been to alot of camp grounds whether I am out Kayaking, Atving, or tubing and I had probably the best time just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. The owner Michelle and her family are extremely friendly and down to earth. Karaoke night was a lot of fun as well...Overall, I highly recommend coming to Big Bear River Resort for your next river adventure. The river was nice and calm while making for a peaceful and relaxing cold weather 8 mile kayak trip!
My family had an amazing experience at Big Bear River Resort we have floated out of this campground for many years now and it is a little better every time. The staff are very friendly and they always make us feel like family. I love the fact that you float right to your camp at the end of the float no waiting for the bus after your day on the river. That small detail that you can’t get at all campgrounds is a very big deal after a long day of floating. We will be going back to Big Bear every time we float the Niangua River. Thank you to everyone at Big Bear for a great experience all around.
Really enjoyed our visit. Spent time by the river and floating. Lots of shade, nice showers. Owners Michelle and Ronny and staff were very accommodating and friendly. One suggestion I would make, more signage at the entrance/further on Corkery Rd. to ensure that you are headed the right direction. Had a great time and will return!
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