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Whether you’re out for a leisurely stroll, or ready for a rugged hike through the Ozark hills, Montauk State Park has much to offer! Check the park program posters posted throughout the park for naturalist-guided hikes (offered March-October). Of course, feel free to walk Montauk’s beautiful trails on your own. For more information on Montauk’s hiking opportunities, contact the park naturalist.
Pine Ridge Trail
If your interested in a relatively challenging walk, Pine
Ridge Trail is perfect for you. Be sure to wear good hiking
shoes with rugged “grippy” soles. There are two
trail heads for this trail: one starts directly behind the
old stone picnic shelter and the other is located just beyond
the naturalist’s office. The trail does not make a
complete loop, so if you decide to park at one end and walk
the one and one-half mile trail, you will need to walk
another three-tenths of a mile along the road to get back to
your car. Most people start at the end by the picnic shelter.
Although the beginning of the trail is pretty steep,
don’t give up. Once you get to the top of the first
long hill, the trail is pretty easy from then on. The beauty
of the surrounding hillsides is worth it!
The trail begins by leading you through Montauk’s Upland Forest Natural Area. This was designated in 1979 as a premier example of one of Missouri’s special native ecosystems. The natural area is made up of approximately 40 acres of dry upland oak and pine forest. As you ascend the steep hill, take a few moments to look at the diversity of trees around you. As you approach the top of the hill, you will start to notice more and more huge shortleaf pine, Missouri’s only native pine tree.
Once you leave the natural area, you will cross the highway and walk through a peaceful pine forest. This stretch of trail offers the best opportunity to see wildlife such as forest songbirds, white tailed deer and wild turkey. Listen for great horned owls and the loud knocking of pileated woodpeckers as they search for insects in the trees above you.
A prominent highlight of the trail is reached toward the hatchery end. Just before descending down a hillside to the end of the trail, you will be treated to one of the most beautiful views in Montauk State Park. The trees open up to a breathtaking view of Bluff Spring and Montauk Lake below, and Jack Pond Ridge across the valley. Look for great blue herons near the water, or (in the winter season) bald eagles soaring above.
Montauk Lake Walk
Although not yet an officially designated trail, this is one
of the most popular places to walk in the park. This hike is
great for visitors wanting an easier stroll. You don’t
need hiking shoes, but we do recommend something more than
sandals, since the road surface is gravel. It’s
excellent for small children and strollers. The hike starts
at the naturalist’s office, near the hatchery office.
Just follow the gravel road that begins at the north end of
the public parking area. Feel free to walk or ride your
bicycles in this area, but no motorized vehicles.
This walk is approximately one-fourth of a mile, and makes a loop. There are other foot trails along the way if you want to extend your hike a little.
You will see a wide variety of sights within a very short distance. Montauk Lake is actually an artificial wetland area created as a result of an old hatchery impoundment. This wet environment creates excellent habitat for beaver and other water-loving mammals, wading birds, wood ducks, water turtles, frogs and wetland wildflowers. Wildlife viewing is guaranteed on this hike!
A highlight on this hike is Bluff Spring, one of many spring outlets within the park. This particular spring provides all the water for the lake area rearing pools, the hatchery building and the spring branch. Look for the active beaver lodge, located in the middle of the large central wetland (look for a large mound of sticks and mud). Other highlights to look for, especially in late summer and early fall, are the variety of colorful berries produced by trees, shrubs and vines, such as blackberries, raccoon grape, wild grape, greenbrier, spicebush, flowering dogwood, hackberry and Carolina buckthorn. Also, notice the beautiful large pink blooms of the rose mallow, a native wetland wildflower.
