Mountain View offers scenic Ozark wilderness
Life moves a little slower in Mountain View, surrounded by the remote wilderness of the Ozarks. With a population of about 2,500, its Main Street center is within driving distance of pristine rivers and horseback riding trails in the dense forests of Southern Missouri. "People like the country and the calmness of Mountain View," says Leanna Bryson, a lifelong area native who has worked as a national park ranger and is currently a real estate agent at Missouri Home Realty. "People can do what they want with their land, and it has a cheaper rate of living. Besides that, it's 'God's Country,' which is what I tell everyone. It's like a little touch of heaven."
Exploring the clean spring water rivers of the Ozarks
West Side Park features a picnic shelter and a forested walking trail. The Mountain View Swimming Pool is an outdoor pool facility offering swim lessons and aerobics courses. Veterans Memorial Park has a playground, a basketball court and an outdoor stage for live music. The Mountain View Golf Course is a public 18-hole course with Bermuda-grass fairways. Eminence is another community about 30 miles northeast, with access to the scenic Jacks Fork River and 300 miles of horseback riding trails. “Mountain View is close to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which has rivers with free-flowing spring water,” Bryson says. “The area is known for its hunting, fishing, floating and all the river activities.”
Gradual hills and pine forests shape the horse-friendly terrain
Gradual hills create a diverse terrain with oak trees and towering pines. The area’s architectural styles primarily include older ranch-style homes and New Traditional homes from the 21st century. Single-family home prices fall between $80,000 and $320,000. The average property size is just over a third of an acre, with many homes on the outskirts of the community exceeding multiple acres of land. “This is big horse country. There are roping arenas and competitions nearby,” Bryson says. “Mountain View is close to the largest cross-country trail ride in the United States, so thousands of horses and riders come from April to October.”
Tornadoes can be an insurance factor for potential homeowners, with one in 2024 damaging some houses and manufactured homes. Heavy rainfall and snowfall can also cause flooding from the local creeks. Howell County has a humid climate with summer heat waves and average highs in the mid-90s.
Downtown dining options and vineyard views
One of Mountain View's most popular restaurants is the Viandel Vineyard, which serves wood-fired pizzas, appetizers and flights of locally sourced wines on a sheltered patio with views of the vines. The community's downtown is centered around First Street, the community's 'Main Street,' with locally owned boutiques and restaurants, such as Los Amigos, a popular Mexican eatery. The community's grocery stores include Apple Market and Walmart, along U.S. Route 60.
Public schools offer electives in trades and technology
The Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III School District serves 1,200 students across four schools. Mountain View Elementary School earns a B grade from Niche and has a Scholastic Book Fair with children’s books. Liberty Middle School has a C-plus and an extensive online library resource for students to practice writing or research award-winning literature. Liberty Senior High School scores a B-minus, with elective courses like carpentry, pharmacy technician and welding technology.
Pioneer Days Festival and live gospel music
Pioneer Days is an annual downtown festival in the fall with more than 100 local businesses, craft vendors and a parade with historic themes. Another popular event is Jesus in the Park, a summer concert series with live gospel music and free meals at Veterans Memorial Park. "Mountain View has monthly meals that feed anybody in the area, just for fellowship or if you need assistance. It's a community-based place," Bryson says.
US-60 and Route 17 connect residents to jobs and travel
This community sits along US-60 and Missouri state Route 17, providing access to neighboring communities. Mountain View’s emergency room is Mercy St. Francis Hospital, less than a mile north of downtown. One of the area’s employment hubs is West Plains, approximately 25 miles south on SR-17. The Mountain View Airport is a facility for private planes and general aviation, while Springfield-Branson National Airport is about 115 miles west and offers commercial passenger flights.
