Katy Trail Forum

I'm bicycling back across the US to Maryland. I'm connecting with the Katy Trail tomorrow and I'm wondering if there's any free camping for cyclist? I am used to the Alligany Passege that has free hiker/biker campgrounds. I see there's camping along but it looks like it's all privately owned. So if anyone can give me a little more info that would help me out. Or I might have to use the warmshower website to camp. For the fact I only have enough money to get me back into southern Maryland. So my money is for groceries only.

I guess there are no hiker biker campsites. I guess I'll be stealth camping along the trail when it's time to sleep. I will be riding from Kansas City tomorrow to Clinton to start the trail. I should be in St Louis Sunday night. Thanks for the info.

City Park in Pilot Grove, Volunteer Park in Hartsburg, it is the gazebo by the trail head. Also about 2 miles before you get to Hartsburg and approx the same distance after Wilton, there is the Hart Creek Conservation area, nothing but a fire ring but it is free camping. There is a sign and gate on the left of the trail. There is a pretty nice hostel in Tebbets that is five dollars to stay there, that is about 21 or 22 miles on past Hartsburg. That's all I know of, hope this helps. Good luck on your trip.

Free camping in Clinton near the trailhead at the Clinton Commuity Center. Go on the north side straight back, turn left for 100 +/- feet, then turn right to enter the county fairgrounds. Once inside, look to your right. That's the area I camped two years ago. There's a gate where you can go to the Center and use the showers. Tell them you're on the Katy Trail.

In addition to the above, Davisdale Conservation Area just west of Rocheport(MM 178) allows primitive camping similar to Hart Creek Conservation Area west of Hartsburg(MM 154). In Hartsburg, the better option is to stay in town at the city park mentioned above. The Hostel in Tebetts(MM 132) does cost $5/night but it is unmanned and noone is going to care if you stop there to get cleaned up as long as you don't make a mess yourself. It is normally locked, but the key is located on a utility pole on the east side of the building.

Another hiker that was on here a few years ago camped at the city park in Rhineland(MM 105). It has water, restrooms, and picnic tables and is located just north of the trail west of the ballpark. Marthasville(MM 78) allows camping at the city park. It is located south of the Katy and you camp on the other side of the street near the ballpark. I think they charge if you want to use the showers but other than that it is free.

Steve, I think the people that own and operate the bunkhouse might care quite a bit about someone staying there without paying. Their charge is minimal at best and they DO have bills associated with it. To advise others to stay without paying is both inconsiderate and irresponsible. Sure would hate to have the owners close it down due to such actions.

There was a thread here not too long ago about businesses that have closed along the Katy and how we should all support them.

It's a good read.

Thank you all. This is a great trail and I did camp behind the community center in Clinton last night. I'm in Sedalia now and I'm going for the next town.

I have no problem supporting local businesses and paying to camp but I went from Florida to Cali. Down in Mexico, and riding back to Maryland. So my funds are at 0. I have just enough for food, so I'm racing as fast as I can back home to work for a couple of months for some cash. I even stopped in Las Cruses, NM at the day labor to make a few $. So it's not that I'm cheap, I'm just broke as I can be. But tanks again for the info. Hope to see some people out there.

Do you have a journal of your ride anywhere like crazyguy?

You can look me up on Facebook. Alphonso Eusantos, also I'm fonsontheroad.webs. But it's a free site and I'm out of space so just look me up on Facebook.

I read stevek's comment about the Tebbitts Hostel differently. He suggested it as an overnight stay for $5 or a good place to stop and "take a break" after a few miles on the trail. I have used it for both needs, such as a bathroom break AND also for overnight shelter. Either way, I always leave a donation before I take off down the trail.

Hello! Just got new Surly Disk Trucker and I'm extremely pumped to put some miles on it. I'll be starting in St. Charles heading for Clinton with a side trip up to Columbia to see some old friends. I hope the rain holds off and I see some of you out there. I'll let you know how it was in about a week.

Congrats on the new bike, those are pretty slick, good luck on your trip!

Blah.. It rained for 3 days and the trail is a mess. I started at the Arch in STL and rode the Riverfront trail up to the MRT heading west to St. Charles. It's not marked anywhere along Chambers road, and it's not exactly a scenic part of STL, but I made it. Along the Katy from St.Charles to Augusta where the wind and rain finally made me get off the trail, there were no water spigots at any of the trail heads at all. That was confusing. Where do you get water?
Augusta brewery has a nice lawn and great brews. I bailed on the trip and got a ride because the trail was soft and sloppy. I'll head West to East from KC in a few weeks when it dries out and warms up. Cheers!

This was beyond any doubt the cleanest place I have ever stayed at. My group agrees. It was a real show room. We had the main house to our selves and enjoyed the privacy. It was our first shot at being @ a non-hosted B&B. The pizza was very good and convenient (in the fridg) and breakfast was no issue. All @ arms reach. Denise and I thoroughly enjoyed the Attic room. I did not know a hot bath could feel that good. We would not hesitate to stay again.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at Rocheport's Katy Trail Bed & Breakfast! A lot of our guests like the low-key, comfortable set up of our place and enjoy being able to eat, come and go as they please. You should check out the Katy Trail Boxcar Guesthouse on your next trip - I think it would be just right for your sized group! See you on the Katy Trail!

Is there anywhere cheap to stay in Clifton Mo? That is t5he area I need to sleep one night and all I can find are B&B

there are a couple camping parks klondike i know is one but clifton not sure

I think you will have to go to Sedalia or Pilot Grove for camping.

Are there signs that give directions as you are riding from the Amtrak Station in Jefferson City to the trail? If not, can anyone tell me how to get there? I am thinking of parking either at the Amtrak Station (long term parking) or if that is full, I may try the parking at the bike bridge. I have never done this before, and I don't want to get lost trying to get from my car to the trail. lol

From the train station, go up the street to E. Capitol and turn right. Go around the capitol, down the hill and back up to get to the MO River bridge.

Go across the bridge and follow the signs to the trailhead. It's a few miles to get there, but once you are over the bridge it is all flat.

And here's a rough map: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/88369317

Has there been any work on trail? What is timeline?

I have been around here for many years and I ventured down to the bar this weekend and had a wonderful time. I was meet by Mel (I think that is his name) and I ordered my dinner, it was quickly made ,hot and fresh. it was very delicious and the portions was very large in fact i had to take the rest home.What I really enjoyed is that I wasnt charged for my two glasses of ice water, when I told him he didnt charge me he told me that there is no charge for ice water. My total bill for dinner was 3.75...impressed

I want to make an attempt at doing it. Can anyone who has succeeded, advise me as to tire selection, bike set up etc?

There is a section on journals and trip reports on this website of others who have done it.

Walter, there was a guy on here a few months ago, Paul Toigo, from KC that has done it previously. He was planning to do it again this spring/summer and was asking people to contact him on facebook if they wanted to ride with him. I would like to do try it in two days but don't think I could do it in one.

I haven't done it all in one day, but I have done 150 of it in one day. Vibration killed me on a rigid steel bike with drop bars running Continental Tour Ride 700c x 32's with 70 lb. pressure. It worked OK, but I'd pick 37's if I did it again--ruts, loose stuff, and transition from trail to driveway crossings are snakebites waiting to happen. I'd recommend gel insoles, gel gloves, gel seat, gel bar pads. Since it's flat, weight is not a problem. Check the weather for prevailing winds: You would probably prefer to go west to east. Other than that, trail mix, CamelBack, powdered Gatorade, eat before you're hungry, and drink before you're thirsty. Good luck.

I've thought about trying it in late June and starting in Clinton before daybreak about 3:00 in the morning. Who would stop you? That would give you about 17 or 18 hours of (mostly) light do 240 miles. Since I average about 13 or 14 mph, I think it's doable. I would want a bail out plan though.

After thinking about it a little more, some of the fun of doing the entire Katy in one day would be to try and do it legally: Meaning, during daylight hours. If u left at 5:30 and quit at 8:30, that would mean you had to average 16 mph. Very few people could do that on that surface by themselves. But I think it could be done with a pace line. Just a thought.

I've been training in St. Charles on the KT, I've been averaging 17-18 MPH round trip. I'm planning a 2 day reconnaissance trip Hopefully May 4-5. I would welcome any company. My wife is going to run support. We're gonna stay overnight in Hartsburg. If I can avg. 16 mph, I'm going to try the KT in a day in mid June

The hardpack of the east is not the loose surface of the west but reports from the trail so far this year is that it is hard everywhere. 16 mph avg is good! Does that take into account breaks? How long have you been able to hold that pace? What kind of bike/tires? How often do you stop? If you can seriously hold and average 15 or 16 mph with minimal stops, and if you go on a day when there is a friendly wind, you can do it. Keep us posted. When do you plan to ride?

Adam,

If a guy, pretty fit (there's a short video) riding in the rain most of the end of the day on a road bike can do it in 2006 for breast cancer and his wife in 18-19 hrs, you can do it. You definitely need SAG, keeping the energy with snacks and camelback, an average about 15-16 mph with stops if you want to be near the record. Go for it in late June (but watch out for the DNR trip riders that week going east to west) and don't look back.

My longest training ride so far has been 66 miles in 4:02, no stops. That was round trip. I started early to avoid some of the headwinds. Trek 5000 carbon fiber, Profile design aerobars. aero wheels, 700X23s. With all the rain last night and predicted for the next few days, I may hold off until after May 18 for the 2 day ride. I talked to Sam Baugh who gave me tips on nutrition etc. His suggestion was to ride straight through. Thats what I've been training for.

The recommendation from the guys who have done it is to do as many 150 mile rides as you can.

Does anyone know if they are running the 50 mile run this Sept? Can't seem to find any info on it.

I have not heard anything on the status of this race. OMRR did a race this past weekend on the Frisco Highline Rail Trail starting in Willard, MO. They had a 50 mile option plus lesser distances. Not many runners up for the 50 but over 100 for the marathon and around 250 for the half. All races were out and back on the trail. They have been doing it for four years in the spring. I would like to see something similar on the Katy.

I did an out and back of the whole Frisco trail this last Saturday, I know bad planning on my part, trying to manuever around the hundreds of runners. But, must say I was really impressed in the ones running the 50 miler. I slowed on my way back to talk to a few and give any encouragement I could. Some of them weren't even breathing hard yet, after 45 miles and still going at a pretty good clip! I was huffing and puffing after about 60 on my bike

I am wondering if anyone knows of a bike shop near St Charles I can send a boxed bike to? I will be riding the Katy Trail as part of my Lewis and Clark trip to Oregon and will be shipping my bike to St Charles to start at the end of May. thanks

If you will use the Trip Planner above, you will discover a few on that end of the trail. Call them and ask about shipping to them.

I use granada cycles. guys are great. They have been around for a long time. they should be able to help you. dont have number. there in st.charles.

Great - thanks for your help I'll try granada and check out the trip planner. Thanks again!

Plan to back light but wondering about what to buy to use to transport the basics. This will be my first "bike" travel trip. I've done a fair amount of caneo/backpacking on the other side of boundry waters, but I'm concerned about too much weight on my back & a bike. Suggestions from all you experienced bicyclists is welcomed. Thanks!

I started out by buying a cheap rear rack for my bike and putting everything in a medium sized duffle bag, strapped to the rack with bungees. Eddie Bauer has a nice selection of lightweight, cheap, but capable nylon duffles. If you want protection from rain, pack your stuff in a trash bag that has been placed in the duffle.

To that, buy a $2 length of parachute cord to tie your tent, pad, etc, to the rack, and you'll be good to go. Now I have panniers, but the duffle worked fine.

On the rack, I think it is best to buy a rear rack that sits high in the back so you avoid heel strike of your stuff when pedaling: Bring your bike and duffle to the bike store with you to check for heel clearance, and buy a rack with as much clearance as you can get--there can be a big difference between how high they sit back there.

I have never tried a backpack, but I'm not so crazy about a CamelBak, so I wouldn't like a pack. Never tried a cart/trailer, but 1) Why? (as in, "How much stuff you carrying?"), 2) They seem like they would be one step above an anchor to me.

Weight on a bike is best kept low to keep the center of gravity low. Much like standing up in a boat, too much weight too high will cause you to be more off balance than need be.

When we started trail riding, we bought Topeak rear racks and a couple of pairs of panniers. Topeak trunk bags slide into a groove on their racks to secure them....makes a nice set up with the rear panniers. We can each carry two rear panniers each when we ride the half bikes or we can haul all four on the tandem with its front rack.

I too am not fond of carrying the Camelbak on my back. Did it one time and that was enough so I don't think I'd encourage anyone to ride with a backpack full of gear....too hot and rubbing as you ride makes it pretty uncomfortable.

I have a Burley cargo trailer that I pull when we are going to camp along the way. Starting out I can tell its there, but while in motion I hardly notice it. No, you probably can't break any land speed records with it, but that has never been our motive anyway.

Read a few journals on crazyguyonabike dot com and see how the bike touring crowd hauls their gear. There is Forum topic there about loaded touring bikes with some good pics of bikes while on tour. Credit card touring will allow you to travel quite a bit lighter than when you haul camping gear.

The loaded bikes are under "Articles" on crazyguy as Loaded Bicycles by Kelly Iniguez. You can view by bike manufacturer and type.

Use Ziplock bags--qt and gallon size--to roll your items up and store them. That should keep the rain out. Put sleeping bags in big store plastic shopping bags. No sense being miserable when wet.

I ditto the suggestions to use a rear rack and panniers. Backpacks will throw off your balance -- probably okay while you are just riding along with no issues, but if you have to swerve to avoid a snake or a kid, the weight of a backpack will pull you over and down in no time. Get a good rear rack (go to your bike store and have them help you pick one out for your bike -- don't buy it at a big box store) and panniers can be expensive or not -- or like some have suggested here, just use bungee cords and a duffle bag with ziplocs inside.

Thanks so much everyone. Very helpful tips and info!

I am lucky enough to live in Augusta and a few blocks from the Katy Trail. Trail conditions have been phenomenal this year. If you have not yet been out - what are you waiting for? Gorgeous! My husband did see a Timber Rattle Snake claiming his spot in the sun. That is a first. Have seen Copperheads but not Rattlers.

Hi Debbie! I'm planning a trip on the Katy in May and I'm looking to make Augusta kind of a base camp for a couple nights. Could use some recommendations on a place to stay!
Thank you!
Rick