Clinton Trailhead

I rode The Katy from Clinton to Machens starting on October 9, 2024. Prior to my journey, I spent a year and a half on and off this website and others to research the trail, TH amenities, overnight options, and food availability along the trail. For my adventure, I rented a car in Bentonville and dropped it off at the Enterprise dealer located 1 mile from the Clinton trailhead. (I don't own a car so this was the perfect solution). Conversely, The Bike Stop Cafe in St. Charles, Missouri, offers shuttles to/from anywhere along the trail according to my last communication with them which was September 2024. If you wanted to start in Clinton and ride east, which was recommended based on my research, you could leave your car in St Charles and shuttle to a desired trailhead. THANK YOU to the webmasters for all the valuable information on this site and riders who contributed to the forum. My journey of 278 miles in 6 days was flawless in large part due to the wealth of information on this site!

Any suggestions to get from Kansas City Amtrak Union station to Clinton without riding. Is there any shuttle service?

There are no real shuttle services within Kansas City, but if you want to make it part of your adventure, there is a dedicated cycle track right next to Kansas City Union Station. That cycle track takes you to the Brush Creek paved bike trail, then there is a short 2 mile on road section that takes you to the Rock Island Trailhead at Arrowhead Stadium. The Rock Island rail trail is similar to the Katy Trail, but between Lee's Summit and Pleasant Hill there is an 8 mile gap where you do have to bike on road again (or take several sidewalk trails to cut that on road distance in half). The Rock Island Trail eventually intersects the Katy Trail in Windsor. I can provide more details if the Rock Island Trail interests you.

You could also take the train to Sedalia and ride the Katy to Clinton. I did that and then rode the whole trail back east.

I took a few minutes of my time this morning and googled taxi in Warrensburg MO. I found ETS Taxi, www.warrensburgtaxi.com and called them…make sure you select option three when you call to reach the wheelchair Van dispatcher, not the regular taxi dispatcher (you’ll need a van, not a car) 660-624-4120 I spoke with a lady who said they have used their wheelchair vans to transport riders/bikes from the train station in Warrensburg to Clinton. She said they prefer 24 hours notice. I did not ask about seat numbers, cost, etc, only asked if that service is available.
Also, you asked about transportation to Clinton from KC….the train has closer stations to the trail than KC. One option is riding through KC to reach Arrowhead Stadium THEN get on the KC area section of the Rock Island Trail and ride to Lees Summit where the trail ends. THEN ride mostly rural streets to Pleasant Hill to reach the second Rock Island Trail and ride it to Windsor where the Rock currently ends….this is where you would meet the Katy Trail and make a decision to go west to Clinton which is I think 20 miles….or skip Clinton and turn east on the Katy and just skip that rather short section of the Katy that goes to Clinton. Also, you could get off the Amtrak in downtown Lees Summit and ride your bike to Pleasant Hill from there…skipping the Kansas City section of the Rock Island Trail. In case you haven’t read or figured this out….this is also for others reading this….like all rail trails it was “abandoned” for awhile….it was repurposed into trail, but at different times….there is something called “the Greenwood gap” where the land/rail path has not been re-acquired yet. The city of Greenwood is about halfway between Lees Summit and Pleasant Hill. It’s about ten miles of road riding between the two points. As long as you avoid riding MO-291 and MO-150 you should have a safe ride. Also be aware that once you reach Pleasant Hill you will we in the Katy Trail State Park, but you’ll be on the Rock Island “portion.”
I suggest doing some map study on Google maps, making sure to enable satellite view and occasionally street view.
In Windsor Kim’s Kabins is a trail friendly business and per her recommendation Judys Kitchen is a good local diner…I can confirm on the food, but have never stayed in Windsor.

I was in Windsor last year and stayed at Kim's. She recommended Judy's for dinner. I ordered one of my faves: meat loaf with mashed potatoes and green beans. What I didn't know was how large the serving was. HOLY COW! (And maybe it was half the cow) I have never had that much food on my plate EVER. And it was delicious. The service was great and the kids working there were very nice.

planning on doing the katy but interested in the rock island spur and starting in kansas city. is there a shuttle that runs from st. charles to near arrowhead stadium? can't take amtrak as my wife uses an ebike

Thanks for the tips on best biking route from KC Train Station to Rock Island. Any recommendations on safe parking for cyclists close to the KC station?

Can anyone guide me to a potential shuttle from Clinton out to just west of Clinton City? TIA!!

I am planning a point to point, beginning to end ride of the entire Katy Trail. I would like to start in Clinton and work my way east. I plan to take a train to Sadelia and then get to Clinton somehow. Any suggestions?

When I did it, I just ate lunch in Sedalia and rode back to Clinton on the bike.

I'm planning on biking the KT in May and starting off in Clinton. I can't seem to find info on leaving my car at the trailhead for 5 days. Does anyone know if this is ok?

From a post a few days ago:

There is parking at the Clinton community center approx. 2 blocks from trail head. You fill out a form inside, the lot is lit and police patrol it some. They will call you if there is any problem or if you pick up your car early without telling them.
I have left my car at the Clinton community center many times for periods up to 2 weeks. I generally do out and back rides because it's much easier than arranging transportation and I have the time.
The train doesn't go to Clinton, the nearest it gets is Sedalia (35 trail miles away) I have also left a car at Sedalia trail head for 10 days, I went in to Depot and left information with them. I have left a car in Booneville for 10 days also, I called police and gave them info. I have also used a bicycle shop in Defiance leaving car there and getting shuttled to Clinton. Hartsburg is another good place to leave a car.

Hope this helps and have fun on your trip. Don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

Allen

posted Feb 11 2017 10:11AM - Allen, Shawnee

You can go the Clinton community center 2 blocks south of trailhead and leave car on west end of lot. Go in tell them, fill out their information form and they will keep an eye on car and contact if a problem arises. I have done this many times with periods up to 2 weeks. I have also left cars at the trailhead here but prefer the community center.

Allen

Sorry anonymous didn't see your post. One of the disadvantages of going from email notice only.

Allen

Thanks so much for the info!

June 26, 2010 – We made it to Clinton-the end of the line on our journey to ride the entire Katy Trail from St. Charles to Clinton! We joined the 10th anniversary Katy Trail ride, but weren’t part of the actual organized ride. Desty at the Clinton Parks and Recreation center was so kind to let us take showers and rest inside while we waited for our ride back home. We really appreciated your hospitality Desty!

I plan on riding the Katy Trail next fall. Where is the best place to leave my car? I plan on making a round trip.

The TH is Clinton is a well exposed public site and I was quite comfortable leaving a vehicle there.

Nice - I agree. I will be starting a ride from Clinton today. Day is amazingly beautiful -

You can also park at the Clinton Community Center about 2-blocks away from the trailhead, which is open very early and late. That lot is lit and patrolled locally. You'll need to park on the north side of the lot, and leave your info at/on the desk..i.e., your name, vehicle type, tag#, home address/phone, how long you estimate being gone or leaving it there etc. To make sure, give them a call first. Happy trails.

Just completed a 3-day trip from Clinton to Hermann. I parked at the Community Center a block or so from the trail head. Clean, safe, friendly staff. They even let me use the spacious and modern changing rooms to get into my bike gear. They wished me well and said they'd look after my vehicle. It made for a great start to the trip. The TH looked safe too but on balance I think the community center is the way to go.

Ditto here. Community center is the only way to go..... Very safe..