Katy Trail Forum

Anyone have experience camping here? Do you have to notify anyone in advance? Price? Availability of restroom? Can you have a fire/cook?

Thanks in advance

Margie

You don't have to tell anybody. There's a bathroom at the trailhead, nearby. I don't know about a fire.

Volunteer Park in Hartsburg is available on a first come first served basis. You may find someone there but its big enough for 5 or 6 small tents. Donations are accepted for camping; just give the money to the post office if open. For more info call Mayor Nancy Grant, 573-657-9581. We also have camping at the ball park 2 blocks south of the Baptist church. Again call ahead to avoid a full park.

About fires in the Volunteer Park in Hartsburg. As long as you use the cooking grill provided its ok to cook but Don't start a fire on the ground. There are homes and a garage close to the park and an open fire could be dangerous. Thanks for asking.

Spent last night there, made use of the grill and set my tent up under the gazebo...couldn't have asked for more. Next time I'm in Hartsburg, will make my donation at the Post Office. Trailhead restrooms are just a short walk away. Great place to spend the night for the budget conscious biker.

When we arrived in Hartsburg, we discovered that The Hitching Post is officially out of business. The other two restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Luckily, we travel with extra food and had enough for dinner.

When we arrived in Hartsburg, we discovered that The Hitching Post is officially out of business. The other two restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Luckily, we travel with extra food and had enough for dinner.

A new resturant/bar will be opening sometime after August 14, 2009. Four young men from Ashland have bought the old resturant next to the Globe Hotel and hope to open soon after that. As of today we don't know their hours but the mayor is trying to get someone to be open on Monday and Tuesday for trail users. Keep your fingers crossed.

A new resturant/bar will be opening sometime after August 14, 2009. Four young men from Ashland have bought the old resturant next to the Globe Hotel and hope to open soon after that. As of today we don't know their hours but the mayor is trying to get someone to be open on Monday and Tuesday for trail users. Keep your fingers crossed.

Great to hear about a new restaurant in Hartsburg. Maybe they'll set their hours to cover when Dotty's is closed to fill in that gap. Got into Hartsburg last night (Tuesday) about 6:30 and nothing was open. I knew in advance so I was prepared, but talked to 2 other bikers who weren't. Spent the night in Volunteer Park and a big thanks to Hartsburg for making the park abailable to bikers...greatly appreciated!

Great to hear about a new restaurant in Hartsburg. Maybe they'll set their hours to cover when Dotty's is closed to fill in that gap. Got into Hartsburg last night (Tuesday) about 6:30 and nothing was open. I knew in advance so I was prepared, but talked to 2 other bikers who weren't. Spent the night in Volunteer Park and a big thanks to Hartsburg for making the park abailable to bikers...greatly appreciated!

I'm curious if there are any Century Rides that take place on the Katy? Also, are there any groups rides that take place on a regular basis?



Thanks!

Don't see any officially organized century rides on the list of events. The DNR ride is a famous group ride that takes place on a regular basis, each June.

Thanks for the response, Trek. The Katy (in my opinion) would be a great place for such an event, being the grade of the trail (mostly flat). That said, I've never done a century and am itching to do one and the Katy would make for an easier ride.

I would be curious to hear others' opinions also but a century on the Katy would be about the equivalent in effort to 130 miles (or more) on a road bike ride on pavement due to the increased resistance and heavier bikes.



I have wondered if we could somehow get the "regulars" on this forum together for an informal day ride sometime. Rocheport East and back perhaps. I don't want to mention names as I would likely leave people out by mistake but it seems like a fun group. And of course anyone, forum user or not, would be welcomed.

My husband and I would be onboard with a one day ride starting in Rocheport. We have organized them with friends before who don't do much riding. Would love to do this and meet some of the others on this forum!

We rode a Century in 07 on the Katy. It took two attempts to do so.



On the first try the forcast was for 30% chance of rain. No big deal...we just forgot that we were doing this in Missouri. It was misting early morning at Rocheport and soon it was raining. We held up in Hartsburg waiting on the rain to stop. It didn't and neither did we. It was a very wet, gritty, dirty, tiring, and gritty day with 70 miles logged.



We tried again a few weeks later and made it. It was a very hot and tiring day, but we were thankfull that it wasn't raining and all gritty. The Frederick in Boonville was a very welcome sight at the end of the day.



The Katy may be easier because it is flat....but for us the ability to do 100 miles was somewhat deceiving. We normaly ride around 40 or so on rail trails and it's not uncommon to do 50 to 60. It's easy then to think that another 40 is very doable. But.....when the GPS says 80 and you're 20 miles out from the car it can make you start to rethink that logic.



If you plan a Century, make sure you're in shape to do it and that it is a realistic undertaking. Prior to the ride, eat well, keep hydrated and train for 100. During the ride take energy food and water with you....you'll probably deplete more than you can take in for the day.

I almost exclusively road bike, riding the KATY two or three times a year when I am in Columbia on business. I've done 4 or 5 normal centuries on the road. I agree with MLH, it takes a lot more effort to ride the KATY than pavement, even though there are no hills. I once rode the KATY 80 miles in one day from Sedalia to Columbia, and I was whipped when I finished.

Interesting...I guess when you factor things in such as the added rolling resistance, need to constantly pedal, etc. it would make for a tougher ride. Anyway, it's too bad there's not some kind of organized century/event. I'd definitely do it.



Anyway, if there's ever some kind of group ride organized here, I would love to join you guys.

Hi folks, newbie in this forum, long time Katy Trail rider. It's not quite a century unless you do a little extra riding, but one of my favorite rides is Jeff City to Sedalia on the trail, then Amtrak home. $22 for you and your bike. I usually ride from home to the North Jefferson trailhead, to Sedalia on the trail, wander around Sedalia a bit while I wait for the train, then ride home from the Jeff City Amtrak station and it comes out to right about 100 miles.

If anyone is interested in a group ride to Sedalia on Sept 11, 09, we are

sponsoring a ride "Tour Bound on the Katy". The Tour of Missouri Time Trials

are in Sedalia that day and we are organizing a rally and ride from the Katy

Depot Trailhead to the Sedalia Fairgrounds Trailhead. We supply a bike lock

up at the Fairgrounds for your bikes. If you choose to stay over in Sedalia

and have a tent, there will be free tent camping available in one of our City

Parks. For more info on this or to fill out the participation form go to

www.katydepotsedalia.com

I recently stayed 2 separate nights in the room above the store on a round trip...Barb and Amy were very gracious and the $45/night rate kept me within my budget...the breakfast sandwich was a great way to start each morning...I highly recommend it!!

I recently stayed 2 separate nights in the room above the store on a round trip...Barb and Amy were very gracious and the $45/night rate kept me within my budget...the breakfast sandwich was a great way to start each morning...I highly recommend it!!

They have lunch specials too which are very good and very inexpensive. I highly recommend them!

They have lunch specials too which are very good and very inexpensive. I highly recommend them!

i am looking to do an ultralight trip. i am hoping to bring a hammock, and i am wondering if there are places i can stay for the night. i dont need a camp site with electricity or a fire pit, just two trees. is this possible along the trail (i dont really feel like paying for a campsite when all i am doing is hanging a hammock).



Thanks

Use the Plan a Ride feature above to find campground locations along the trail. Stealth camping is not allowed in the park according to the DNR website. It's understandable that you may not want to pay for a campsite beings you've just got a hammock, but campsites also offer restrooms, water, weed control, etc.

If you simply leave the trail and use two trees, you'll most likely be tresspassing. Most of the locals do not tolerate this very well. Better to go ahead and pay the small fees at a campsite.

There are several towns that allow camping in the city park for free or a small fee - Pilot Grove, Hartsburg, Marthasville, and the Hostel at Tebbetts are all free or cheap ($5). I believe there are others also.

Another idea would be the Missouri conservation areas along the trail, Davisdale in Rocheport, and the one in Hartsburg come to mind. Camping is free, but then again, all you sometimes get at these areas is a sign saying camping is allowed. Unfortunately, I have never checked out the two areas mentioned above that are right on the trail. I have camped at the Daniel Boone Area near Herman, and also been to the Mokane access in Mokane. You cetainly could find two trees here, but both of these areas are 1-2 miles from the trail, and it is a rough ride(ie. gravel road) to get there on a bike.

The comments about using trees for a hammock are right on. You are trespassing if you climb over a fence and use the trees of farmers. Some still aren't used to the idea of "foreigners" riding through their farms. Most are nice if you ask first. If in Hartsburg, our Volunteer Park, in town, has trees for hammocks. Come visit us.

Which hotels/motels/bed and breakfasts in Columbia are near to where you end up if you take that spur off the Katy Trail to Columbia?

I have often stayed at the Holiday Inn Select. It is west of the MKT on Stadium Drive and near a number of good dining opportunities. They have always been very accomodating and caring for me when I have riden through Columbia.

holiday inn select is very accomdationg. i took my bike inside, and they even gave me extra towels at the front desk to dry it. and it and let me take it to our room. no problems there at all.

Go to page four and click on the entry entitled "Columbia". You'll find good information on hotels in Columbia to consider.

We stayed at the older place downtown, very close to the trail terminus. Next to Willie's. $60/night through an online reservation site.

Near....may be a relative concept. To me, the Holiday Inn is not near to where you end up if you take that spur off the Katy. There is some riding to do to get to the hotels along Stadium Drive and I-70. You might want to look on Google maps at the exact locations when planning your ride.

Ok, so i've found dog friendly lodging in the following towns:

Clinton, Sedalia, Boonville, Huntsdale, Fulton (getting shuttle to and fro), Hermann, and St. Charles



NOW i'm looking for lodging somewhere between Fulton and Hermann and Hermann and St. Charles.



We'll be biking about 55 miles in one day between the Huntsdale/Fulton leg, so i'd prefer these to be a bit shorter. Any thoughts?????

Dates have been set for the Katy Trail Pedal & Paddle Bike Tours. Spring Trip: May 10 - 16th. Fall Trip: Sept 20 - 26th. There is still room available on both tours. It would be easiest to fly in to KC (MCI is the airport code), and either do that roundtrip, or fly out of St. Louis (STL). I will email you on how to get from the airport to our starting and departure points. We will be spending three of our nights at the Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest in Rocheport (www.katytrailbb.com), to minimize the need to pack/unpack and move luggage every day. We will be shuttled to our starting point several mornings in our 15-passenger van with bike racks. If you'd like to read more about the canoe/kayak float that is offered as an option on the rest day in Rocheport, please visit www.mighty-mo.com.

Have you set the tour dates for 201o yet?

This past week, we biked the KATY Trail from Sedalia to St. Charles.

We urge all cyclist to be cautious between Mokane and Portland. There is significant trail damage - and NO warning signs or barriers.

How bad is it? I mean--can you still ride over it with a hybrid?

Does anyone know if there is a comprehensive list of dog friendly lodging...?

If I stick with this plan...looks like we'll be stopping in the following cities...so if anyone has info that'd be great!!!

Sedalia

Piolt Grove

Huntsdale

N. Jefferson

Rhineland

Dutzow



Thanks!!

If you change your itinerary you can stay at the pet friendly Hotel Frederick in Boonville. We allow pets up to 75 pounds for a fee of $25.00. Come and be a guest at this beautifully restored 104 year old hotel that sits on the Missouri River.

I am more than willing to change the itinerary....right now i'm trying hard to find all the pet friendly lodging and we'll just figure out how to ride between, even if it means a longer ride...thanks so much!!!

I am more than willing to change the itinerary....right now i'm trying hard to find all the pet friendly lodging and we'll just figure out how to ride between, even if it means a longer ride...thanks so much!!!

The Frederick is a great place to stay. Glenns Cafe inside the hotel offers some good food too. Stay often....eat well!

Me and 2 of my buddies just finished up a complete tour on the Katy Trail. We started Saturday morning, rode to New Franklin. We camped at the campgrounds there. The showers were nice and the campsites were plentiful. Day 2 rode from New Franklin to Tebbettes. We stayed at the hostel (nice accommodations for the money), and ate pizza and drank beer at Jim's Bar next door. It was a great time. Jim and the locals had us sing karaoke. Day 3 we rode to Augusta. We ate and drink at the brewery, and camped at the Klondike campsite. It was a very well maintained site, but they do not provide firewood (even for purchase). They do not want you to gather wood, so it makes it tough on Katy trail riders to start a fire. Other than that, it was a good stop. Day 4 we had a short ride into St. Charles and a train to catch back to KC. All in all, a very good ride. This website was a great resource to plan the ride. Couldn't have done the tour without it. Thanks.

i got the chance to ride from clinton to sedalia this past weekend, when one of our g'sons made the district 3, 12 yr old all star team in crystal city, mo (twin city). we stayed in sedalia and played in concordia. we drove up thursday evening, got up early friday mornin and headed to clinton. it was a nice drive just goin there. got on the trail and took off. wifey rode bouts 5 mile m/l, turned around and went back to the car to drive back to our hotel. after reading a few entries about the ride from clinton to sedalia not really that great a ride, i had to try it. i truly enjoyed it. the scenery was great, at least for most of the ride. i met a couple of young ladies on horse back just west of windsor, stopped and chatted with them for a few minutes. seen maybe a dozen people over all, mostly between calhoun and windsor, otherwise only one other person, an older gentleman, who i talked with for a while, at green ridge. the trail was in great shape, a mix of open air and canopys. would ride it again in a heart beat. took a little longer than i had planned, but still had fun. was planning on riding from boonville to sedalia the next day, but this old fart was just to tired. thats o k, will do it next time.



happy bikin folks.

Great food. Home grown green beans in season, yum!! And Honey is a cutie!

Great food. Home grown green beans in season, yum!! And Honey is a cutie!