Loop 4 sits in the heart of Montauk State Park's 153-reviewed campground, just a short walk from the Current River's spring-fed headwaters. The campground offers electric hookups, flush toilets, hot showers, and paved roads good for biking, all surrounded by mature Ozark hardwoods. Expect the park to fill quickly around the March 1 trout opener and summer weekends.
Montauk's lodging options include a modern campground plus rental cabins and motel rooms; campground sites include a mix of site types.
Historical Significance
The park protects the headwaters of the Current River and supports Missouri's trout-fishing tradition. The historic Montauk Mill, a gristmill built in 1896, sits nearby and offers interpretive tours of Ozark history.Weather and SeasonsSpring offers the best combination of cool air, active trout, and blooming Ozark hardwoods. Daytime highs run roughly in the 50s–70s F with chilly nights in the 30s–40s. The park's on-season begins February 25, so early spring delivers uncrowded trails, excellent fly fishing in the clear spring-fed headwaters (water temps often stay in the 40s–50s), and abundant wildflowers and migrating songbirds. Expect low to moderate crowds before Memorial Day. The catch-and-keep trout season runs March 1 through October 31, drawing the biggest camping crowds in spring and on summer weekends. Summer brings warm weather and maximum services but more crowding and noise. The quieter catch-and-release season runs mid-November through mid-February, with cooler conditions and fewer campers. Amenities like water hookups and shower houses follow a seasonal schedule, so check ahead. Loop 4 experienced flood damage in November 2024 that was later repaired; check park alerts for current status.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits in a peaceful Ozark valley where cold limestone springs surge from the ground to create the birthplace of the Current River. Mature hardwoods shade the sites, and short walks lead to views of the spring branches, trout stream, and the historic mill area. Pigeon Creek merges with spring water nearby, forming clear shallows where you can spot rainbow and brown trout darting over moss-draped rocks and grassy banks. Sites along the outer edge of Loop 4 back toward open grassy areas or light woods rather than the interior road. White-tailed deer, raccoons, and songbirds are common. Secure food to reduce raccoon encounters.
Geological RegionOzark region — headwaters of the Current River (spring-fed streams, Pigeon Creek)
Scenic ViewsViews center on spring branches, the trout stream/Current River headwaters and the historic Montauk Mill area; the campground is described as a shady, green setting among Ozark forest.