Winter Camping

[ozark trout fisher]

I was curious if there are any campgrounds around Little Piney that remain open in winter, private or public. I know that Lane Spring is closed, so I was wondering if there were other options.

[jdmidwest]

Is Lane Spring completely closed as in gated off or is the water and restrooms just shut off and locked up? Used to you could stay there, just no facilities.

Montauk is not far, don't know where you are coming from. Licking has a nice, cheap motel at the 4 way for about $40 a night. Then there is Rolla.

[Gavin]

I think Lane is closed off for the winter..At least the gate was closed on top of the hill last time I pulled in there during the winter months..You can camp downstream at the Forest Service Fire Ring on the way to Mill Dam Hollow, but its a popular local party spot...usually lots of trash there. Might try camping over near Mill Creek..plenty of Forest Service land over in that area and the traffic isnt as bad..Not sure if camping is allowed on Bohigian Conservation Area. Call the USFS in Rolla and ask about camping on their land, and check out the local CA's on google earth. Montauk is around a 45 minute drive from Lane Spring...Hotels in Rolla are about 15 minutes from Lane. Cheers.

[ozark trout fisher]

Thanks Gavin and JdMidwest. I'll keep this in mind.

[jdmidwest]

It has been a few years since I have been to Lane Springs, used to hit it quite often. I know they were having alot of problems with campground damage and it was getting to be one of the Trolling hotspots for the local gays. 10 Years ago, you could fish and camp during the winter and the park was a change of pace. You can hit Mill Creek, Spring Creek, and Roubidoux all in one weekend.

[ozark trout fisher]

It has been a few years since I have been to Lane Springs, used to hit it quite often. I know they were having alot of problems with campground damage and it was getting to be one of the Trolling hotspots for the local gays. 10 Years ago, you could fish and camp during the winter and the park was a change of pace. You can hit Mill Creek, Spring Creek, and Roubidoux all in one weekend.

Yeah that's a bummer about the "trollers". Kinda surprises me there are any in the area........ Otherwise, I agree the area is a great place to fish. Have only hit Little Piney, but it is a beautiful stream with some big fish, good fishing for rainbows, and even better smallmouth bass fishing. I really want to hit the other streams you mentioned too, just haven't gotten around to it. I just like this part of the Ozarks in general too. It is a lot different from the area down near Eminence.

[redbird]

darn! I remember when I was a kid I thought trolling was how old people fished! I dont like some of the ways the world changes.