Katy Trail Forum

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.

We are planning on riding the trail October 3-5 starting in Boonville ending in Hartsburg.

Trying to decide which bike to ride, flat bar road with hybrid tires or mountain?

Any flooded areas along this route?

We just rode that section last week. No flooded conditions at all. Our group included both hybrid and mountain bikes and no one had trouble. That section is well maintained. But there were lots of large fallen walnuts somewhat covered by leaves that you had to watch out for.

Hi, We are biking from Pilot Grove to St Charles and plan to take eight days to make the ride. We would like to pack just four days of clothes and then stop somewhere (probably between Hartsburg and Bluffton)and do laundry. Does anyone know of a laundry mat that's reasonably close to the trail around those parts?

If you stay at the Rendleman Home B&B there are laundry facilities available.

Wow, we actually ARE staying at the Rendleman B&B! Problem solved. Thanks so much!

Tell Honey all her friends say "Hey Honney!"

Honey lost a toenail the other day and is currently a rather sedate Tripod, however when I gave her your greetings she perked up markedly and bounded into my lap to receive her affection. Thanks!

Hey folks,

We'll be on the trail with our 3 middle school age kids in the next couple of weeks. I've paged thru as much of the comment section as I could reasonably before getting all computer googley-eyed but do not see too much on the availability of open grocery stores. I know where the stores are, but given some of the comments on eating establishments being unexpectedly closed I'm concerned the stores may not be open the day we need them. We are camping and preparing our own food the whole way. Certainly we'll carry most snacks and a lightweight dehydrated meal or two at the outset, but obviously we don't want to get too heavily loaded and not enjoy the trip. I can call each store to confirm hours but we'd like to be a bit flexbible too in where we'll stay each night so calling every place would be a drag thus my forum comment short cut.

So, general experiences re: grocery stores would be appreciated (hmmm, guess I could have started and ended with that sentence :))

Thanks

Woods Supermarket is only 1/2 block southeast of the Katy Depota nd the State Parking lot

and it is open 7am to 11pm. Excellent selection, deli and awesome coffee bar. It's only been

open 1 year in this location.

Loutre Market near McKittrick is about a block or so south of the trail on Hwy 19. Open 7:30 to 8 pm "I think" everyday.

Contact the Greater Saint Charles Convention -& Visitors Bureau. We have information on the Katy Trail as well. 1-800-366-2427.

Have a great ride and you'll want to spend sometime in Saint Charles too. kfraser.

If you use the Plan a Ride feature above and click on grocery stores you can generate a list of stores between whatever towns you are traveling between. From that list, click on the store that is in question and you will get info about it.....open hours, phone number, etc.

Snoddy's store is about 1/4 mile north of the Boonville bridge (across the Missouri river). They are open 7 days a week and have everything you would need.



I highly recommend the Loutre Market at McKittrick also.

Had 7 riders and 2 support vehicles. Great experience on the trail from Sedalia to Marthasville. Good weather helped. Becky's Burgers in Pilot Grove was good. Stayed at The Treehouse B&B in Rocheport which could accommodate our entire group. Dotty's for lunch in Hartsburg is great. Had originally planned on staying at the shelter in Tebbetts but opted for a motel in Fulton instead. Needed a bike shop and luckily found a little-known equip rental place that also sells & services bikes. Great guy. Eric at Mid-Mo Rental. Lunch at the tavern in Rhineland was good. Spent the last night at Concord Hill B&B east of Treloar. Good place. Could handle our entire group. Great hot breakfast unlike many B&B's now that offer only continental. The Katy Trail is terrific!

We live just north of Defiance. Taking our first KATY ride tomorrow...weather permitting. Please share any advice on which way to go from Defiance. Or, should we motor to another spot to start our ride? Thanks---

This comment is late. But, Defiance has a great bike shop to engage with.

We had the priviledge of staying at Heritage Lodging for 2 nights over Labor Day weekend. It was a wonderful place! Linda and Olen were very accomidating and kind people. I could go on and on and on about how fabulous the food was! I have never enjoyed such a wonderful breakfast (both mornings)!! We look forward to our next stay at Heritage Lodging and would highly recommend it to others. Have a great time!

And where in MO is it?

That would be in Hermann MO on 1st Street

The owners of the Brick Inn are bike friendly. They will do everything they can to make your stay enjoyable, including a free shuttle service from Dutzow across the bridge to Washington. That's a GREAT service at the end of a long, hard day on the trail. Plus Washington is a great town with lots of interesting shops & restaurants.

Just returned to Ohio after riding the Katy Trail from Clinton to Machens. Great trail, wonderful natural beauty, and friendly people all along the way. Only wish that we had more time to spend in the local towns along the trail. Timing was perfect: we were in Sedalia in time to see the Tour of Mossouri Time Trials. Had van support so we stayed in motels and ate at local restaurants, all were great picks especially Dottie's Cafe in Hartsburg.



Study this website and buy "The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook" by Brett Dufur. Both provide a wealth of information and made for an enjoyable trip.



Go Missouri! Hope to ride the Katy again.

Of course on a leash, but can I take my dog on the trail and just walk it? or do you think I would get run over by bikes?

Sure you can walk your dog. I think the chances are greater that your dog would get run over. Dogs seem to wander more than humans. Just know that there are others on the trail who may move faster than you and your dog....be aware and rein in the leash when bikes approach or pass.



A few weeks back we were riding down the hill from the Hotel Frederick in Boonville going toward the casino. A man was walking a dog with a rather long leash....we approached and did the customary "On you left" as the man stepped to his right and the dog went to the other side off the trail to the left. The leash across the trail made a nice clothesline to ride the tandem through as we skidded to a stop.



I made a comment about being carefull or the like and the response I got back was that he didn't have enough warning and that it wasn't his fault. Just like me......before you get on the trail and beings you know that it is not soley your trail and that others use it too.....you have warning to be cautious and mindfull of others who may be on the trail today.



It makes no sense to yell out "On you left" from a mile away. Nor does it make sense to walk a dog with a twelve foot leash as you strike out for your morning walk in Oblivian Land.

Thank you for your input! You know your the 2nd person today that has told me that people walk their dogs on VERY long leashes. That just amazes me how people could be so rude, then there is no control over the animal. I just have a normal leash and he is 6 months old and I am trying to get him used to seeing people and all sorts of things. I would never walk him on a extendable leash. How rude of that person to do that. I know it is normally used for bikes which is why I asked the question in the first place. My dog is learning his manners and I would never be rude like that. I am glad to know there are others that walk their dogs too. Thanks again.

Lots of people walk their dogs on the trail, every day. Most walkers rein them in close to themselves and/or step to the trail edge when bikes are coming from either direction. No problem!

Unlike so many places on the trail these folks were really nice. They wanted to know all about the trail and our ride. We even got the locals talking about the town and local events. It made for a pleasant evening. The food was suprisingly good and the service great.

Unlike so many places on the trail these folks were really nice. They wanted to know all about the trail and our ride. We even got the locals talking about the town and local events. It made for a pleasant evening. The food was suprisingly good and the service great.

We ended up going to Twin Gables when our afternoon lunch plans didn't work out for Dutzow. We weren't disappointed. The food is typical bar food (mostly fried), but was tasty. The staff kept our water pitcher topped off and was happy to restock our water bottles before we left. The only downside was the cigarette smoke...after all, it's a bar, too.

We ended up going to Twin Gables when our afternoon lunch plans didn't work out for Dutzow. We weren't disappointed. The food is typical bar food (mostly fried), but was tasty. The staff kept our water pitcher topped off and was happy to restock our water bottles before we left. The only downside was the cigarette smoke...after all, it's a bar, too.

Had a great burger at Twin Gables! Lots of cigarette smoke, but we were able to sit in the "side" room by the front door where it wasn't as bad.

Had a great burger at Twin Gables! Lots of cigarette smoke, but we were able to sit in the "side" room by the front door where it wasn't as bad.

Im planning to ride the entire Katy Trail. But Im confused, does it end at Machens or St. Charles??? Ive ridden the trail from Weldon to St. Charles before....whats the trail like beyond St. Charles, and should I go to Machens to consider that Ive done the whole trail? Please fill me in.



Jake

See the following post(s).



http://www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=1353¬efmt=1&sortby=0&pg=2



The Katy continues about 3-miles north of the St Charles trailhead, where one encounters a grassy unfinished railroad bed, which appears to be the end of the trail. However, most of the Machens section is completed beyond that point except for that 3-mile section of grassy, cowpath like riding. Supposedly, that unfinished section is passable although not really open yet.

Can someone tell me about the MKT trail in Columbia. We are going to spend the night in Columbia and ride from there the next morning. I was looking at the map and we plan to get on the trail at the Flat Branch Park Access. It looks like that is where the trail starts. The 8.9 miles fits nicely with our mileage we plan to ride. What is the trail like going through town? Is it flat? If there are hills are they big hills? Any info would be appreciated.

From Flat Branch park you can take a tunnel under Providence Rd to access the MKT trail. It is very much like the KATY. It's smooth crushed limestone. Since it's also on an old railroad, it's pretty much flat as a board. There are a couple of minor ups and downs going under roads, but nothing too bad.

Thanks for the info Ken. Our wives will appreciate it being flat!

Actually, if you are riding FROM Columbia, part of the time it will be slightly downhill, making for very easy riding.

The MKT is a great trail, it is a nice ride, if you like the Katy then you'll like the MKT. When riding the MKT you barely notice that you are in a metro area. It is not a hard ride at all, the tunnels are pretty cool, really. One of my favorite rides is Rocheport to Flat Branch and back. Enjoy your trip.