Katy Trail Forum

This was the absolute low point of our trip. The shelter hostel is in pretty sad shape. The sad state of the building fits right in with the discomfort of the beds. We had a very long and sleepless night. You would be better off sleeping on a bench at the average trailhead.

BB, you have no right to complain about the Turner Shelter, it is donated building run on donations not on tax money. It is cleaned by the people who use it. You can whine all you want about all the café’s and B & B’s . If you didn’t sleep well there, you apparently didn’t ride enough miles that day. You need to stay in a hotel with comfy beds.

Let’s talk about what you get for $5: a hot shower, real bathroom, air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, bed, carpet, bike shop, game room, shaded 2nd floor deck (my favorite). Now let’s compare it to a KOA Kampground. For $27-$39 you get a 15 x 20 foot spot for your tent, a shower house 500 feet away, no A/C, no bed….

Give it to them Chris.... Probably also upset that they had to pedal their own bikes...

Take the comment as it was intended, to give advice to others who may go thru Tebbetts. I understand that someone donated the building, etc. But I won't be using it in the future. I would have been much better off with a quiet patch of sod beneath me. So, relax you can have the whole place to yourself.

I'm sorry BB, I keep forgeting there ar least 2 types of people who use this forum: those who "rough-it" on multi day ride (anything above a hand full of trail mix and sleeping in your "trail head bench" is comfort. And those who do 30 miles per day then want their every need arrended to. The group I am in would appriciate a little vintage, dusty accomidations. We will clean up and sleep better when we get home.

The Shelter is a great place for the right kind of person, and it's going to be judged on personal experience. My husband and I stayed there a couple of years back and although I thought it was great, my husband won't stay there again. The shower room door wouldn't lock securely which made him uncomfortable as there were about 8 other people staying also. We did find the kitchen great, the air conditioning working, and the mattresses were very comfortable. I would definitely stay there again, but he would not, but not because it wasn't a great cheap alternative to camping...

When I reached Tebbetts after a long ride in the 95 degree heat the shelter was an oasis.

While B.B. may have different views of what's comfortable & clean than some of the rest of you, I must say that to tell him that he has "no right to complain" is pretty harsh. He has every right to complain, and others have every right to state their own, possibly opposing, views. Shutting others down or belittling (your perceptions of) their bicylcling skill levels are not what this forum should be about. Why not, like Kim & Nancy did, just relate your own viewpoints & experiences without slamming others?

I stopped by the shelter on my 4-day ride in May. It was in the middle of my day, so I didn't stay overnight, but I looked around inside to see what it was like for future reference. I was really impressed! The place was very clean, the beds were decent, and the a/c worked well. It's very roomy and has spaces for hanging out and eating, as well as sleeping. Seems like a great asset to the trail.

Sounds like B.B needs to stay home in Clinton and ride his stationary bike.

I agree with Brian from Wichita that everyone should be able to express their opinions of things on the trail or about the trail. Some of you may have taken offense at BB's comments. But I've seen other forums where people are downright horrible when they don't like something. That's one reason I keep reading this forum. Even when people disagree, it is in a nice way. As for the Turner Shelter, Kim from Independence put it in the right perspective, she was fine with it, her husband doesn't want to go back.

Forum (Webster's Dictionary): A medium for "open" discussion.

I just wanted to communicate that the Hostel is great, but not for everybody, and everybody has a different experience to base their opinions on.

Please remove "you have no right to..." and replace it with "it is in poor taste to..." from my 1st post. I should have done this earlier. The Turner shelter is something of a museum, not a regular business, so when someone says "[it's] in sad shape...would have been better off sleeping on a bench" that is not constructive criticism. I didn't really mean BB didn't have a right to criticize. Something like "the place could use a good cleaning, how could we make this happen" whould not have ticked me and others off. But I really have no idea what "sad shape" means. So when I read BB's 11 comments, it seemed to me that he was really upset because the bar closed and he went to bed hungry and bored on a foam rubber mattress and didn't sleep well, because he didn't bring a comfy sleeping bag and pillow. So the moral is: say what you mean!

Agreed on personal taste. I had a 20 mile hike in 90+ degree weather when I stayed there. I thought it was great for $5.

Like Chris J., I too took offense to the tone of B.B.'s remarks. I've stayed in the Shelter on several occasions, and found it to be remarkably clean and comfortable, (however, I'm a 37 year veteran of the National Guard and have stayed in places a LOT worse). There's a difference in constructive criticism and simply complaining. The bench remark, in my opinion, was uncalled for.

Sorry about the tone. My "Tebbetts experience" was in the first third of a 470 mile ride and I really wasn't in the mood for a poor nights rest. Also, there was nothing to eat in Tebbett's (Jim's was closed). And that didn't help at all. I appreciate the idea that the shelter is a "historical remnant", I like that idea. I think it would be great for a scout troop or some such thing. So, if you like it God bless you.

In my opinion, what incites flaming responses are "recommendations" in the second person. Instead of, "You would be better off sleeping on a bench at the average trailhead." perhaps "I would have been better off sleeping on a bench at the average trailhead." would set a better tone. We're Americans and don't like to be told what to do. Just my 2 cents.

I've stayed at the Tebbetts Shelter 3 times and it was always the high point of the ride (and Jim's was always open). I can't envision doing the Katy Trail and not stopping there, although based on BB's experience I would call ahead to verify Jim's hours. I wouldn't even put it in the category of "What do you want for nothing? Your money back?



Be that as it may, what I didn't like about B.B's review was fact that it wouldn't help me make the decision as to whether to stay there or not, had I never been there before. Is it a flop house or a nice place to stay if you don't expect the Ritz? One couldn't tell because of his lack of details and context. "pretty sad shape", "sad state", and "low point" don't tell us much, except maybe his emotional state (sad?). The fact that he had a sleepless night says nothing either. Most people have trouble sleeping from time to time for one reason or another. But they wouldn't necessarily blame the building. Was it noisy? From the bar? No it was closed. From other guests? He doesn't say. Was it the beds? Some like them soft, others hard? If they were too hard (or soft) by your standard, say so.



BB's later comment about a 470 mile ride and not being in the mood confirms my opinion that his post was more about him than the shelter.



For what it is worth, I usually evaluate a review's relevance to me based on its tone and language. It this case I would have pretty much discounted it. If I took every internet opinion at face value, I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning.

The shelter seems to be appreciated most by those who are caught in a storm, lost and too tired to go any further, or on a tight budget. The place is really at its best after a large youth group stays there, and their sponsors have really cleaned it up good.



Still, the drinking water source, enclosed toilets, hot showers, heat & cooling, bike room, and kitchen items are good to have most of the time, especially during stormy or very hot weather.

Are you kidding me?



Having toured across the country and done other 3-7 day trips on bicycle, the shelter is a

sight to behold when you haven't stayed in doors or showered in a week.

That makes sense to me!



Yet, like any home or similar building, it needs good caretakers. Otherwise, things get a little shaggy now and then. Right now, the shelter's front door pushes open very hard, like it is dragging on the floor or somewhere?



Shucks..maybe I can do something for it before next year? :)

I can remember a question comment form coming my way looking for input on the trail. It was a couple of years ago and do not remember what group asked for it ( could have been the DNR). Any way I told them that as a regular user in my area (Saint Charles County) I was amazed at how the traffic would build up with some sort of connector like the Page ave extension or Klondike park.

I have never been to see the Turner trail shelter but have heard of it and would love to go there. My main suggestion was that a public/ private group be formed to buid and support such structures as this periodically along the trail. I envisioned the hut system that is employed on the appalachian trail or other major hiking trails in the country. There are many people who would love a touring type experience without the traffic. I could envision the katy becoming a major destination with the consistency of such a system.Any way God bless those making sure the Turner hostel stays open. My uncle has spent his retirement with a group called the Volunteers of Colorado. They have thousands of members and make it a truly social affair taking care of and improving their trail resources.When I finally have the time to do so I hope there is a resource such as the Tebbetts shelter in my area I will volunteer myself!

We took the Amtrak from Hermann to Sedalia and rode back to our car in 3 days. Amtrak was fabulous and extremely easy! Horrible rain storm 2 miles outside of Pilot Grove. Great pours of whiskey and great service at Deon's in Pilot Grove. Rode to Jefferson. We are seasoned road/trail riders. DON'T RIDE the BRIDGE! If you stay in Jefferson, best pizza ever at Arris Pizzaria next to the Capital. McKittrick/Hermann bridge is easy to cross. Great food at Trappers! About the ride in general - Always take enough water and snacks. Some places aren't open. Trail great (we saw many people caring for the trail) from Sedalia to Jefferson City. Not very well maintained from Jefferson City to Hermann - loose gravel, ruts, tractor tire ruts, etc. Email - bhallbike@aol.com

I second the motion re Arris' Pizza in Jeff City. I have actually planned a few rides around staying in Jeff City just so I could go there!

May I ask some ride advice about the Katy Trail? I plan to come to Missouri in early

October but do not have the equipment to ride self-contained. My plans are to camp where

possible. What I have been thinking is drive my truck to a town, camp for the night, ride part

of the trail each way then drive truck to another location.

If you would be most kind to offer suggestions for locations to camp and ride, I would

appreciate it. I probably won't be riding the entire trail.

Gene

Using the Plan a Ride feature above....you can generate a list of campgrounds along the trail. We've camped at Steamboat Junction.....it's an easy ride to Hermann and back from there....handy if you want to consume or pack and carry some good wine. We've also camped at the Roundhouse in New Franklin....an easy ride to either Boonville for lunch or to Rocheport for some river views and bluffs. You can rent both the tent and the camping spot at the Roundhouse.

suggest throw minimum needs in a backback, strap it to your bike and stay in the numerous B&B's along the trail.. Cost you 60-70 bucks a night but so worth it. Always take the Amtrak back close to your starting point.

Your plan is solid. Your vehicle will allow you to find food and safety every evening, while realizing that some of the local cafes and markets are not open all the time. You’ll also be able to tailor your distance riding to the weather or how you feel at the time.



As you might know, in addition to the several out-of-park campgrounds along the trail, a few fishing camps and B&B’s allow camping for a small fee. Also, many of the small towns have community parks with pavilions which can be used with permission, depending on how much camping is to be done..merely sleeping overnight, heavy campfire cooking, or skinning, gutting, and butchering deer, big fish, and other wild game? :) :)



If you ride the middle parts of the trail, you might consider the Turner Katy Trail Shelter in Tebbetts for a night or two, $5 a night. It’s a two-story bunk-house hostel having running water, hot showers, bathroom, heat, cooling, bike room, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. The door key is kept on a utility pole outside.



Because Tebbetts is very small, and if you use it, you might want eat somewhere first, or take your own warm-up food with you, including coffee grounds and creamer. :) The convenience store there closes at 6-pm, and I hear the bar-grill doesn’t keep regular hours. Still, you can drive to it fairly easily for inside camp-outs, if desired. (See the Shelter Story under the run/ride/hike-reports section of this website.)

I agree with both previous posters: if you can afford the B & Bs that is the way to go. Use this website to locate B & Bs on your route and call ahead and book your room, so you won't be left without a room. But if you can't affort that, then as the other poster said, the Turner Shelter would be a place to camp, ride as far as you want to go in one direction, go back to the shelter for the night, then go in the other direction. Since you'll have your truck you can easily drive to Mokane to the east or Jefferson City to the west for food.



If you're coming in Oct., the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival is 10/10/09-10/11/09 per this website. I've heard it's a great time. Place will be packed, but it still should be fun.



After your trip, get back on this forum and let us know how it worked out for you.

Yes, the B&B's and their whomping breakfasts are a real treat for tired aching bicyclists. However, the ones in the winery areas get a bit pricy for solo bikers, even at weekday prices.



Still, several moderate ones provide along the trail give the basics, like, the one(s) in Marthasville, Hartburg, Rhineland, Rocheport, Pilot Grove and so on. I hear the Peers Store (near Marthasville) has an historical two-bedroom one that gives the basics: full bath, TV, and hamburger-sized breakfast sandwich. Cost, $45 plus $5 for each additional person. That's my speed. :)

Correction: Peers has a two-regular-bed in one-room one plus secure bike storage on the backporch.



Except for the all-night gas stations and certain convenience stores along the trail, it's hard to believe anything else opens at 5-am. :) But, it does.

Maxine in Sedalia - very gracious. Let us keep our bikes there for 3 days, picked us up at Amtrak, etc. Would stay with her again!

Secret Vine in Hermann - nice to soak in our own private tub after the ride. Thanks Tom!

Stayed at the Roundhouse Camp ground September 21-22, 2009. Host & Hostess very

nice. Tent camped, fire ring, trash can, picnic table, very level, good drainage, other

campers followed 10:00 PM = 07:00 AM lights out and quiet time. Shower adequate, 1 of

2 toilettes available in men's room, wife said same in lady's room. We were concerned

when a boy scout group came in later Friday night, toilettes held up!



Saturday we from New Franklin into Boonville, then on past Pilot Grove and marker 205.

Ate lunch at Becky's in Pilot Grove then returned to New Franklin Roundhouse.



Everyone we met on the trail were very nice and they saw you stopped they always ask if

you were okay or needed assistance. 34 miles total out and back.



Sunday (rain) we broke camp and drove to Columbia for breakfast, then on to N. Jefferson

City. We rode to just past Claysville, Mo. Saw wild Turkey's on the trail and read some

interesting history about Lewis & Clark. A short ride but then weather wasn't the best.

+12 miles total out and back.



After a night in Jefferson City, we drove back to Rocheport Trailhead. The trail was dry,

level and fast. Good trip to New Franklin Trailhead, very fast ride out and back, then a

burger at the Bike Shop at Rocheport, very good! +20 miles total out and back.



We will be back!

Day 2 of our ride took us from Rocheport to Portland. We learned the hard way that many businesses close on Mon and Tue along the trail. We took the spur into Jefferson and arrived at the Airport Cafe at 2:30 having eaten only a granola bar since an early breakfast. The cafe closes at 2:00. The doors were locked and the staff was taking the last of the trash out the back door. I asked the staff if I could purchase ANYTHING from the fridge. They returned with a huge box of fried chicken (still hot and fresh), cole slaw, and ice water. It was quite possible the best chicken we had ever eaten. I tried 3 times to pay them - they would not take our money. The staff at the Airport Cafe made this a highpoint of our trip - we will be back.

My 12 year old son and I rode the Katy from Sedalia to St. Charles. Day 2 was a 67 miler from Rocheport to the Rendleman Home B&B. We got caught in a nasty lightning storm 10 miles out. Doug picked us up trailside within 15 minutes of my call. Doug helped us repair 2 broken spokes and a bent brake caliper - not only did he supply the know how, he also supplied the tools and parts. The home is clean, nicely restored, and full of great company. Doug made us a fabulous supper of grilled chicken, fresh green beans, and squash. Breakfast was french toast with fresh fruit and was equally delicious. Before departing Doug loaded us up trail info that only a local would know and assured us that if we hit any trouble on the trail we can call him anytime. 20 miles down the trail while taking a break, Doug pulls up in his truck with a smile and gives me a cold beer. He was passing through and noticed us trailside. First class all the way and by far the best accomodations of our trip. I highly recommend the Rendleman Home.

My 12 year old son and I rode the Katy from Sedalia to St. Charles. Day 2 was a 67 miler from Rocheport to the Rendleman Home B&B. We got caught in a nasty lightning storm 10 miles out. Doug picked us up trailside within 15 minutes of my call. Doug helped us repair 2 broken spokes and a bent brake caliper - not only did he supply the know how, he also supplied the tools and parts. The home is clean, nicely restored, and full of great company. Doug made us a fabulous supper of grilled chicken, fresh green beans, and squash. Breakfast was french toast with fresh fruit and was equally delicious. Before departing Doug loaded us up trail info that only a local would know and assured us that if we hit any trouble on the trail we can call him anytime. 20 miles down the trail while taking a break, Doug pulls up in his truck with a smile and gives me a cold beer. He was passing through and noticed us trailside. First class all the way and by far the best accomodations of our trip. I highly recommend the Rendleman Home.

Time to start a thread for everyone to post re what trailheads have water avail and if not, where the closest water would be.

I'm most familiar with the western end so here goes:

Clinton - running water at trailhead

Calhoun - the trailhead is up a slight hill and I'm not sure (anyone?), but if you cut over to the main road, there is a gas station with most anything you would need.

Windsor - running water at trailhead. Also a Casey's directly across for any other needs/wants.

GreenRidge - running water at trailhead and Casey's just north of trailhead on main road.

Sedalia - running water at the depot trailhead

Clifton city - no water at trailhead

Pilot Grove - running water at trailhead and grocery store directly across.

Boonville - running water at trailhead.

Or you could just click on the Mileage Chart link above, Ray has already provided what you are looking for.

Good point. There are a few though that aren't really clear if the water is at the trailhead or you have to go to a business (I noticed this for Huntsdale and Easley).

I would be helpful to know where to find the closest water if in fact there is none at the trailhead itself.

Although, I understand it is logistics and budget--there are sections near us without water.

We carry 2-24 oz bottles while riding, but even in the heat of the summer this is tight.



St. Charles to Defiance is 19.6 miles without a water stop. Peers (store) to McKittrick (if you

miss the stop in Treloar) is 20.7 miles.

Also(I think):

New Franklin - water at trailhead. Caseys downtown north.

Rocheport - water at trailhead. Cafes/B&B's downtown nearby.

McBaine - water at trailhead. Bar-grill nearby west.

Hartsburg - water at trailhead. Cafe/bar-grill/B&B's near trail.

North Jefferson - water at trailhead. Downtown south.

Tebbetts - no water at trailhead. Water at shelter and bar-grill.

Mokane - no water at trailhead. Water at the market, 2-blocks north.

Portland - no water at trailhead. Bar-grill nearby north.

Bluffton (not a trailhead); B&B and campground nearby.

Rhineland (not a trailhead); bar-cafe on the strip (restrooms).

McKittrick - water at trailhead. Convenience store 1/2-mile south.

Treloar - no water at trailhead. Bar-grill nearby with open sink.

Peers - (not a trailhead); well-frequented store near trail.

Marthasville - no water at trailhead. Gas station and pop-machines.

Dutzow - water at trailhead. Bar-cafe next to trailhead.

Augusta - no water at trailhead. Cafe downtown north.

Matson - no water at trailhead. Wineries in vicinity.

Defiance (not a trailhead); bargrills/B&B near trail.

Weldon Springs - no water at trailhead.

Green Bottoms - no water at trailhead.

St Charles - water at trailhead w/ large restrooms.

Just wanted to pass on a little tip to help with the confusion regarding what services are provided at the trail head and what are provided in the community. There are signs along the trail that indicate when you are approaching a town or trail head. Those signs have universal symbols to indicate what services are provided. Those symbols in green indicate the services provided by Katy Trail State Park at the trail head -- water, restrooms, parking, etc. The symbols in blue indicate the services provided by the town. Not every town has a trail head and not every trail head is in a town.

Good point on the color-coded facilties listed on the signage at each town and trailhead. I didn't know that.



The water issue becomes more serious during the hot weather weeks. Yet, water can be found in still more places than those already listed. If really necessary (emergency), it can be found at public or private campgrounds, public-use buildings that might have open spigots, fishing camps, and country/hamlet homes near the trail. Most citizens will help a thirsty rider out.



We could also list more stores, like, Catfish Kates, Clayville Store,

Coopers Landing, Thai Cafe, and Steedmans (now closed for a while) to name a few. Hmm. I'm getting hungry... :)

Last mid-to-late October I rode from Clinton to Portland. On more than one occasion, I found the water turned off and bathrooms locked - once in an area that offered no alternatives (to the water, that is). It was my understanding that water is turned off on November first. And yes, there are a few stretches where there isn't much water. A couple with extra gave us some water at one point (God bless them!). Something to think about if you go riding late in the season...

I ride regularly from St. Charles to Augusta. A water bottle doesn't cut it on a hot day. Best investment ever made was a Camelbak. I bought the 100 oz. because you can never have too much water but the added weight could annoy some. Any brand/size hydration pack will do.



Plus I have a tough time multi-tasking (drinking + riding simultaneously) :P

-RETRACTION- from the above comment on water sources. Most of the trail literature says no running water exists at the McKittrick trailhead. My mistake, among others. I vaguely remember a chemical toilet there, too.



However, I did locate the Calhoun trailhead during a recent ride on the west end. It’s located at the north end of Calhoun, and it cannot be seen from the trail because of the foliage. It’s 3-to-4 blocks north of the east-west overpass crossing the trail into Calhoun. A small graveled farm road crosses the trail there. On the southeast quadrant there, a small driveway appear to go east and then curve south around the trees next to the trail. That driveway-apparent is a short uphill path up to the trailhead where the covered information board, maps, and water fountain are. I’m probably not the only one who’s ridden by it more than once without seeing it.



Anyway, all the tree tunnels and canopies, creeks, and the tall grass/wildflower restorations between Clinton and Sedalia were fabulous to see.

Retraction: the Marthasville trailhead does have running water, but no outside drinking fountain that I could see. The running water is in the restrooms with flush toilets and big goose-neck sink spouts that a rider can put his/her head under for cooling down fast. Nice!

I just wanted to update everyone on the seasonality of water availability on the West end of the Katy Trail (Boonville to Clinton). We are going to turn off all Trailhead water and restrooms on November 2, 2009 and turn it back on by April 15, 2010. There will still be water inside the Depot Store in Sedalia.



Ride Safely; Keith, West End Katy Manager

In a follow up to Keith's comments. The store is open 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and 10 to 3 on

Sat's. I am usually in at 8 am and leave at 6 pm during the week., and in at 9am and leave at

4 pm on Sat. We have bathrooms inside as well as water. There is a great museum and gift

shop with Katy Trail items as well

Happy Trails Linda.

Great place for lunch... the food was very good. I had the crispy chicken salad. Very nice little town.

Great place for lunch... the food was very good. I had the crispy chicken salad. Very nice little town.