Katy Trail Forum

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"No New Forum Posts" Nature Abhors A Vacuum!

Darrell, the uncommonly friendly one. from Jeff City, Mo. or there abouts. on 02/15/2012 06:01 PM

Curious about how others use and enjoy the Katy Trail? I am. What do you enjoy most about the trail, biking, hiking, birding, fishing or whatever?

Me first, I usually carry the bike to the trail, so anything less than two or three hours is not worth it, IMO. Mostly my day trips are three to four hours of just peddling along at a comfortable pace, smiling and waving to people I pass. I'm a nuisance to some, but they are few and who cares.

What is most enjoyable is to do mini-tours, a days ride and camp overnight then ride back home or to my car. Even better is spending 4 or 5 days out there just piddling, pedaling and visiting with others.

How about you? What do you enjoy most about the Katy Trail.

Doug from Bluffton on 02/15/2012 07:21 PM

I love having the trail to use as a highway to the market and post office and bank or just to ride out and stop to eat lunch before heading home. Some won't even nod hello but there are more than enough that stop to talk or ask for information that a day ride can take awhile.

MidSouth from Rogersville, Mo on 02/15/2012 08:03 PM

Wish we lived closer! We love looking around all the small towns and talking with all the other sweaty people resting at the trailheads. Most of our trips are overnight. We will park at a trailhead, pedal 30-40 miles, spend the night at a B&B, and then pedal back the next day. We did spend a week doing the entire trail two years and it was one of our most memorable vacations.

dave from lowry city,mo. 64763 on 02/17/2012 07:51 AM

I live about thirty miles from the Cilnton trail and do mostly day rides. I enjoy all aspects of the trail. I meet people on horses in that area and they are very nice. Most of them are locals. I have meet people from all over the United States. The spring time is a great time to be on the trail.

Trek on 02/19/2012 12:57 PM

I really envy Doug. To live that close, and to be able to use the Katy as you do would be fantastic!

We though live a couple of hours to the closest trailhead which is Boonville. Because of that most of our rides are done similar to MidSouth. Our trips as a rule have involved Boonville, Rocheport, Columbia, Jefferson City area.

We've also ridden out and back, either to or from Hermann several times. The only parts we haven't ridden are Clinton to Sedalia and St. Chuck to Machens.

For us its all about the peace and quiet....time with each other. We've discovered the best places to find mushrooms, green snakes, bittersweet, wild flowers, indigo buntings, skinks, pawpaw, and the list goes on.

People along the way are interesting. We've talked to those riding coast to coast that have detoured because of the Katy. Some folks fly past us as if there's a fire and offer not a word. Others can't wait to ask questions or chat along the way.

Joey Los from McKittrick, Mo on 03/18/2012 10:00 PM

We see lot's of people fishing in the Loutre River near McKittrick. Stay at Joey's Birdhouse, walk to the grocery store, ride leisurly into Hermann, visit the mercantile maybe attend a dance... themerck.com Hope to see you there. Doug is right, it's great to live on the trail.

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Camping on trail

ad on 02/26/2012 03:04 PM

We are planning on hiking the trail with our children. We were wondering if there was places on the trail to camp? Some of the distances between town seems a little long to try to work before taking a break.

Anonymous on 02/26/2012 08:52 PM

Try the trip planner for camping spots.

ad on 02/29/2012 11:06 PM

Thanks for your advice. I was looking for more on the trail camping not in the towns. thank you so much.

Anonymous on 03/01/2012 07:42 AM

Spots to came along the trail will be listed there. Stealth camping is not allowed on the trail.

Jim from St. Thomas on 03/01/2012 02:42 PM

Go to trip planner and check camping. Along with the cities that have camping it will also list the conservation areas along the trail.

Gary from Near Tebbetts on 03/01/2012 07:20 PM

Ad, before you go camping along the trail, ask yourself how you would feel if someone road up to your property, set up a tent and built a campfire in you yard without you permission. The trail is a narrow strip of land running through private property. Please respect the rights of those property owners.

Anon on 03/02/2012 03:14 PM

Good point about respecting private property.

Here’s a short list of probable camping areas near or along the trail.

Clinton – ball park; behind community center w/permission
Sedalia – RV park; fairgrounds
Boonville – RV park; campground w/restaurant
New Franklin – full campgrounds
Huntsdale – campgrounds Katy’s
Easly – campgrounds Cooper’s
Wilton – campgrounds
Tebbetts – $5 hostel
Steedman – campgrounds (maybe)
Portland – campgrounds
Bluffton - full campgrounds; camping at B&B there
Peers Store – inexpensive B&B w/breakfast sandwich
Augusta – full campgrounds
St Charles – RV park

Some of these are primitive w/o fire; others are complete; most have a nominal fee.
Also, some of the village parks are very nice, secure, and free.

Joey Los from McKittrick, Mo on 03/18/2012 09:49 PM

We have a lovely grassy field right on the trail in McKittrick and can pull together a nice BBQ for your family inexpensively. Check out Joey's Birdhouse at themerck.com

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St. Charles to Columbia

Jeff from St. Louis on 02/07/2012 08:46 PM

Planning a trip from St. Charles to Columbia. Plan on stopping along the way to spend a night. Any suggestions around halfway?

MidSouth from Rogersville, Mo on 02/07/2012 10:48 PM

Bluffton would be right at halfway. Take your pick of Randleman House or Steamboat Junction campground.

Doug from Bluffton on 02/08/2012 07:48 AM

That would be The Rendleman Home B&B and camping or Steamboat Junction camping

EWM on 02/09/2012 04:12 PM

Wife and I stayed at Meyers Hilltop Farm this past Oct. and loved it. Hope to stay again

EWM on 02/09/2012 04:15 PM

Forgot to mention town, Meyers Hilltop Farm is in McKittrick

Trek on 02/09/2012 05:04 PM

There are many good places to stay in Hermann with a wide price range. It's a good wine stop also.

Gordon Sieckmann from Gore, MO on 03/11/2012 08:40 PM

You can camp on our farm, its one mile from Gore.
or stay in our farmhouse, free.
Regards, Gordon

Joey Los from McKittrick, Mo on 03/18/2012 09:46 PM

Joey's Birdhouse also in McKittrick, right on the trail, supper available themerck.com Hope to see you there.

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McKittrick shuttle to Dutzow?

Stacy from St. Louis on 03/15/2012 02:56 PM

I am interested in a quick bike ride from Dutzow to McKittrick. Does anyone know if there is a shuttle/taxi available? I am open to biking to Herman if that makes a difference.

Amanda from Rhineland on 03/17/2012 06:50 PM

There is a new shuttle service in Hermann. The name is RhineValley Limo/Taxi Service. It is owned by Lisa Grosse and Dot Colter. Here is their contact information: 573-821-3703 or 573-220-1752. Email: rhinevalleylimo@yahoo.com Contact them for rates and reservations.

Joey Los from McKittrick, Mo on 03/18/2012 09:37 PM

Try the Rhine Valley Limo service run by Lisa Grosse and Dot Colter 573-821-3703. And if you are looking for a B&B in McKittrick check out Joey's Bird House themerck.com Thanks!

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Tagged: McKittrick

week trip

David from Holden on 03/10/2012 09:55 AM

My wife and I and another couple are planing a week trip on the katy trial sometime this year, does anyone have any suggestion on how to pack, what to take, where to saty any and all help would be great, happy riding.

Trip Planner on 03/10/2012 10:53 AM

Dave, we don't know how to respond to your question until we know how much trip planning you have done until now. What month are you looking at for the ride? There is a week long trip planned for the first 300 people the third week in June sponsored by MO Parks. Also are you and the Mrs. day riders, hour out on the trail to see nature, or 70-100 miles a day serious types? Do you want to camp out under the fine blue sky or stay in a bed and breakfast or hotel? What type of bikes do you have? To get started type in "week long bike trail trip preparation" on google. This will help you get started.

EWM on 03/10/2012 12:25 PM

Depends on what age what shape what attitude. If ripping up 70 plus miles or enjoying the ride and gorgeous country side. Wife and I rode 125 miles from Boonville to Augusta last October. Our first KATY trail ride and first bike trip together. We are empty nesters and had the best time staying at B&Bs.

Darrell from Jeff City, MO. on 03/10/2012 01:38 PM

Hey, you can saty on the Katy anywhere you want, my experience is, B&B's and motels are more comfortable, but tent camping works too.

If you are doing B&B's you need the usual vacation stuff, only a lot less of it. You'll need something to put your stuff in, like panniers for clothing, trunk bag and/or Handlebar bag for camera, snacks, sun glasses, sun block, bug spray, more snacks, etc. One of you should carry at least a few basic tools, just in case. If you are going to haul your bikes to different locations and do out and back trips each day, then you will not need panniers, of course.

You may want to do a Bing search on credit card bicycle touring, or bicycle camping, or on hiking, whatever fits the bill, to get some ideas.

Just a few thoughts, others will have suggestions for you I'm sure. Enjoy your trip!

Anonymous on 03/10/2012 08:25 PM

When I ride multi-days on the KATY, I use B&Bs or motels. I carry shorts and a t-shirt for the evening, a light windbreaker-type jacket, the bike clothes I am riding in (which get washed out every night and used again the next day), a few tubes, a patch kit, a multi-tool, my cell phone/charger, a toothbrush and a credit card. Nice and easy.

David from Holden MO on 03/13/2012 12:29 PM

thanks for all the info we are going to have too sit down and plan this out,, as for using B&B's do you have to make Reservation or just find one and stop in.

Pam O from Independence on 03/13/2012 01:45 PM

We are traveling the whole Katy Trail for the first time this year. We have made all of our reservation because we want to make sure we have someplace to lay our heads each evening. Last year we did sections of it on different weekends and we again had reservation. Sometimes you can't guarantee a place will be open for business or have a bed available and then you might have to travel another 10 miles or so to the next stop.

High Street Victorian B&B from Boonville on 03/13/2012 09:49 PM

I'd like to encourage you to check out our website. Our B&B is a very comfortable and wonderful place to stay when riding into Boonville. We have a safe place to store your bikes too!

Trip Planner on 03/14/2012 06:42 AM

If you are using B&Bs like Pam said it is good to call for reservations a few weeks or months ahead depending when you will go (summers are pretty busy), or go to their websites if they have one.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/14/2012 11:22 AM

I agree with making reservations well in advance during the summer months, there are only a few rooms to go around in some locations. Two years ago when we rode the entire trail we had reservations for the whole route but with flooding we had to change up our itenerary a bit and really had to scramble to fine something at the last minute.

The High Street Victorian is a great place if going through Boonville!

Trek on 03/14/2012 12:46 PM

Riding or traveling without reservations is like having a tire with an air leak. You may make it and be fine. You might get stranded. I'd rather not have stuff to fret over.

SalsaBoy on 03/14/2012 01:44 PM

Totally agree with you Trek about needing reservations at a B & B so you don't have to fret about where to stay. The flip side of that is bikepacking: I LOVE having everything I need with me and just going 'till I find a place I feel like stopping somewhere down the trail. Not knowing where I will be pitching my tent that night liberates me to go as fast, or slow as I want to. It is my favorite thing about riding the Katy!

Rhona Lococo from St Charles on 03/14/2012 07:35 PM

Check us out, Lococo house B&B we also shuttle. www.lococohouse.com. Rhona

Anon on 03/16/2012 08:57 AM

You can drop-in on some B&B's during the week (Sun-Thu), maybe, if the trail isn't busy then. The one's in the wine country (Eastern side) are heavily booked on weekends. Motels work well too. They're often cheaper than the busy B&B's.

Anonymous on 03/17/2012 09:05 AM

I would HIGHLY recommend reservations. I have no financial or other interest in any B&B but during the summer or on a weekend I would be very nervous about not having a reservation. Some of these places are very small! Best wishes with the trip.

Gene from Indiana on 03/18/2012 12:07 AM

Use Ziplock bags to put your clothes in. Use the quart and gallon size. Roll clothes up and put in bags to conserve space. You don't have to zip the bags but you might get caught in rain someday. If you're carrying a sleeping bag, put that in a larger trash bag when you carry it. I got caught in Ohio on GOBA with my gear lying on a school parking lot in a rain storm. Everything was dry.

Joey Los from McKittrick, Mo on 03/18/2012 09:33 PM

Check out Joey's Birdhouse in McKittrick. Conveniently located on the trail, near Hermann. We also have a large field available for tent camping. Visit our website themerck.com

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Meyers Hilltop Farm in McKittrick

Jacki Kohlman from Katy, Texas on 03/17/2012 11:28 PM

Meyer's Hilltop Farm was the perfect conclusion to our first 45 miles on the beautiful Katy Trail. The Meyer's warm welcome, beautiful home, generous tour of amazing Hermann, and 5 star breakfast are well worth another visit in the near future.

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Tagged: Meyers Hilltop Farm

Sedalia

Joy on 03/17/2012 02:25 PM

Is there a place to rent bikes in Sedalia?

Bike Planner on 03/17/2012 02:58 PM

Call Cecil. He has a bunch of bikes he'd rent. 660-826-3987.

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Tagged: Sedalia

Trail conditions: Boonville-Hartsburg

Anonymous on 03/16/2012 07:07 AM

Anyone been on the trail in the past few days in the Rocheport - Hartsburg area?

Any notes about the trail condition?

Hard packed? Soft? Construction/repair?

Thanks.

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Das Gast Haus Nadler in Defiance

S. Reigh from Fayetteville, AR on 03/15/2012 05:28 PM

This Guest House has CLOSED. She closed her business and retired per a phone call on 03/15/12.

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Tagged: Das Gast Haus Nadler

Plans and Photos of Trips

Brian from Olathe, Kansas on 03/15/2012 12:19 PM

When we first decided to ride the trail a few years back we had no idea what some plans for doing this were or what to expect. This site has been amazing for helping with that. I thought I might also post a few old blog post from our past trips for others to see some of the places we've stayed in the past and opinions of them.

2009 Trip - http://www.houghfamilyblog.com/?p=795
2010 Trip - http://www.houghfamilyblog.com/?p=2471
2011 Trip - http://www.houghfamilyblog.com/?p=3938
Our Dumb Man vs Wild Katy Trail Edition Video - http://www.houghfamilyblog.com/?p=2511

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way to trail from kc mo

james mcginnis from riverside mo on 03/14/2012 02:54 PM

like to know if there is a way that can be ridden from down town kc mo to the trail that is built now by touring bike like a few roads that are bike friendly without big hills thanks

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Lindenhof Bed & Breakfast in Augusta

Kelsey from St. Louis on 03/13/2012 10:14 AM

Four of us stayed in two rooms at Lindenhoff in March and had an AMAZING time. The pictures on their site really don't even do the place justice. It was paradise. And within walking distance from Mt. Pleasant and Augusta wineries. There was a huge (like 8 person) covered hot tub outside, a great backyard area with a table, chairs and firepit (that was filled with wood and paper and ready to be lit). Inside there was a great living room area with tall ceilings and another fireplace. They also had all kinds of games and books. The rooms were beautiful and had huge jacuzzi tubs. The couple who hosted us were lovely and welcomed us with fresh bread, cookies and drinks. Breakfast was to die for. Best B & B experience I've ever had.

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Your pictures

Lori Lancaster from Columbia,Mo on 03/12/2012 12:29 PM

I love your pics, do you sell copies.

Anonymous on 03/12/2012 12:49 PM

No. Sorry Lori.

Steve K from Saint Louis, MO on 03/12/2012 01:29 PM

Near the bottom of the home page of this website, there is a link to "Katy Trail images from artists & photographers" where if you can follow it, you can find most if not all of the pics that are displayed on this website and contact info for the photographers that took them.

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Machens to Chain of Rocks Route

Pvt. J. Potts on 03/11/2012 08:15 PM

Is there a bike route from Machens to Chain of Rocks Bridge?

BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 03/12/2012 01:14 PM

I think the only safe way to do it is to ride along MO-94 to West Alton then to Alton and cross the Clark Bridge, then head south on the MCT Confluence Trail, which is on top of the levee. That takes you right down to the Chain of Rocks bridge. Just be careful along MO-94, as indicated in other posts here, the locals are very comfortable driving fast and the shoulder is narrow.

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Dogs east of Clinton at Allen

Anonymous on 03/10/2012 07:46 AM

Rode the trail from Clinton to Sedalia on Friday, March 9. WARNING: Close encounter with a couple very aggressive dogs between mile posts 259 and 260. I feel very fortunate not be have been bitten.

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