Annual Spring Swap Meet Returns To Jacob's Cave, This Weekend (2024)

Pull out the muckboots! The annual Spring Swap Meet returns this weekend to Jacob's Cave Meadowlands.

The Swap at the Meadowlands begins Thursday, March 31 and runs through Sunday, April 3.

April’s Swap Meet is the biggest of the three annual events. And, it’s usually muddy, with ATVs running the grounds everyday but Saturday.This is the sale that sellers attend from all over the nation, converging on the Ozark hillsides between Versailles and Gravois Mills. The flea market/swap meet began in 1979 and is the biggest in Missouri.

Just about anything one could desire to buy can be found over the four-day run, including antiques, farm equipment, household goods, live animals, guns, fishing and outdoor equipment. This is the place to scout for hidden treasures and diamonds in the rough. One year, a full set of Harry Potter 1stEdition hardbacks was scored. Who would have thought it? Turkish rugs have made an appearance. Giant metal roosters? Check! But perhaps the best thing about Jacob’s Cave Swapping Days is watching happy families ramble through the dirt tracks on their ATVs with gleeful kids eating ice cream, toting a bunny rabbit or chicken home. (ATVs and other motorized mobility vehicles are allowed every day except for Saturday.)

The family friendly event is a snapshot of local country life at Lake of the Ozarks, with trailers full of flea market finds; but everybody, no matter where they come from, enjoys the food. The best of carnival foods is on site at Jacob’s Cave with returning vendors Scoops Ice Cream and Funnel Cakes, Bigals Kettle Korn, Shooby Snacks, BBQ trailers, roasted pecans, baked goods, and many more!

Although food vendors are spread out over the 60 acres of the meadowlands, most are concentrated near the Jacob’s Cave Campground office and shower house with an eating pavilion. The popular Shooby Snacks and Tenderloin food trucks are located down in the bottom portion of the meadowlands.

Due to the avian flu, no waterfowl will be allowed at the swap this year. But there will still be plenty of furry and feathered friends to purchase or just look at.

Electric sites are $20 per day. Regular sites are $15 per day. Admission to the public is $10 per vehicle. ATV admission is an extra $10. The 90 acres of the meadowlands can accommodate many, and each sale sees tens of thousands of visitors from all over the United States every year.

The Jacob’s Cave Meadowlands Spring Swapping Days event is located at:

23114 Hwy TT, Gravois Mills, MO.

It’s open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The off hours have vendors camping onsite and considered to be the Meadowlands “quiet” hours.