  LiV$_2$O$_4$ is a mixed-valent spinel oxide and one of a few transition-metal
compounds to host a heavy fermion phase at low temperatures. While numerous
experimental studies have attempted to elucidate how its 3$d$ electrons undergo
giant mass renormalization, spectroscopic probes that may provide crucial
hints, such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), remain to be applied. A
prerequisite is atomically flat and pristine surfaces, which, in the case of
LiV$_2$O$_4$, are difficult to obtain by cleavage of small, three-dimensional
crystals. We report the epitaxial growth of LiV$_2$O$_4$ thin films with
bulklike properties on SrTiO$_3$(111) via pulsed laser deposition and stable
STM imaging of the LiV$_2$O$_4$(111) surface. The as-grown films were
transferred $ex$ $situ$ to a room-temperature STM, where subsequent annealing
with optional sputtering in ultrahigh vacuum enabled compact islands with
smooth surfaces and a hexagonal 1$\times$1 atomic lattice to be resolved. Our
STM measurements provide insights into growth mechanisms of LiV$_2$O$_4$ on
SrTiO$_3$(111), as well as demonstrate the feasibility of performing
surface-sensitive measurements of this heavy fermion compound.
