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Ricardo on 2/25/2020 1:53:00 PM:

Anyone have any experience just camping alongside the trail as opposed to finding a designated camping area?

Marna from Boonville on 2/25/2020 5:39:18 PM:

There is no, "Alongside the Trail"! The Katy Trail is only as wide as the Trail is on...THE REST BELONGS TO LAND OWNERS! And I am one.

We DO NOT want your mess, or the responsibility of you camping on our land. And everyone that does skamp camps says.....'I would never leave a mess.', but the truth is, YOU DO! And you leave Human Waste, from the inside of your body there too, the place where you cooked, or sat or slept. Some leave trash, and other items.

We are not insured for your fires, or your safety.

ALL LAND BELONGS TO SOMEONE! THERE IS NO 'IN THE WOODS', OR, 'ALONG SIDE THE TRAIL'! You would not want us skamp camping, peeing or pooping in YOUR yard, and we do not want you and yours!

Anonymous on 2/25/2020 6:10:14 PM:

Ouch! Marna!

I also live on the Katy Trail. My properties are adjacent to the trail.

On a more gracious note, we love everything about living on the Katy Trail. The cyclists and travelers are respectful and friendly. Most trail users have a fascinating story and we enjoy meeting people from all over the world every single day. Their life stories are fascinating.

Concerning camping, Marna is correct. All property adjacent to the trail is private property. If you camp on the trail, the State Park has a "no camping" rule. If you camp alongside the trail, you are certainly trespassing on private property. It is only respectful to ask permission from the property owner. In addition, many cities, towns, and municipalities have ordinances concerning camping. You need to do your homework and be informed about where you lay your head at night. There are many options to legally sleep while traveling the Katy Trail, including B&B's, hotels, campgrounds, and transient housing from entire houses to guest rooms from local home owners.

We welcome you when using the trail, and we appreciate, in advance, your respect for our private property.

James on 2/25/2020 9:20:14 PM:

Thank you, Anonymous, for a clear, informative, diplomatic, and welcoming response to the OP's question. You said exactly what Marna said, but in a friendly and welcoming manner. I commend you.

Marna, take note. There are diplomatic and highly effective ways to say exactly what you said, without the hate. I fully understand and agree with your position, but you stated it poorly.

Bill in Houston from Houston on 2/26/2020 10:26:57 AM:

I've met Marna, and she and her husband are great friends of the trail. She just wants to be clear about camping on the trail. Sounds like they've had some bad experiences.

Anne from Cleveland on 2/26/2020 4:41:55 PM:

Ricardo was just asking. He asked. You could just answer. He is being respectful by asking. Chill out.

bicycle Chris from USA on 2/26/2020 6:29:42 PM:

Yes; there is a "no camping" along the trail. Some towns allow you to camp in city parks, church yards, ect. Just plan ahead and have a great time; but please respect private land owners.

Anonymous on 2/26/2020 10:30:11 PM:

yes, I've camped several times illegally "ON" the trial. This required me to ride into the night and set up my one man tent "illegally" on the trail. I was up at sun up and gone. I've done this mostly in the fall. there were no other people around and not adjacent to any land owners which might observe my presence.
I don't recommend it but if you do I would do it alone.
It is not enjoyable camping but I gather you aren't looking for that....with a campfire and all. I don't even turn on my flash light. I just sleep. There are small pull-outs so sometimes I wasn't exactly "on" the trail.
I just don't like other people and wanted to be alone.
Not sure why you are asking this. There is really no advise anyone can give you.

Ricardo on 2/27/2020 4:45:08 PM:

Anonymous - I like your style of alone camping at night on the trail. That sounds like the best plan, and I will just make sure to be extra stealthy when I set up camp so I am not seen on the trail and I will be out before sun up.

Michael Conley from Camdenton mo on 2/27/2020 5:13:39 PM:

I camped 3 times illegally on the trail, I did it in late October no one even knew I was there!!

Anonymous on 2/27/2020 9:43:26 PM:

I stole firewod from the wood pile and then burned the evidence while staying at a campground one time. No one knew where the ashes were from.

Michael from Camdenton on 2/28/2020 7:43:49 AM:

I tried really hard to not stealth camp, the 3 times I did were unavoidable.
My last night on my thru-hike I slept at the very end in Machens. It was so cool camping so close to the train tracks!

Anonymous on 2/28/2020 4:52:06 PM:

Once might possibly somehow be unavoidable. Three times means you don't learn from your mistakes; you're irresponsible; or you're a liar; if not to others at least to yourself. I tend to believe all three. This behavior is exactly what people cite when they argue AGAINST trails. Oh, but the rules don't apply to ME

BW from Topeka on 2/28/2020 6:03:55 PM:

Good lord, why so hateful?

Jim from St. Thomas on 2/28/2020 6:44:32 PM:

He’s not hateful.......if you went to the town meetings when the Katy was being proposed or any of the meetings concerning the Rock Island these are the things opponents always bring up. They worry that the trail will be full of people who have no respect for their property - like you guys. I get that sh*t happens and sometimes you have no choice but when you start your planning with basically “can I camp on private property without paying anything?” you're one of those people that every opponent of the trail is going to quote. All that said, if you feel the need to camp for free there are trailheads every 10 miles or so. Camp at one of them and at least you’re only violating public property.

Marna from Boonville on 2/28/2020 7:44:19 PM:

Yes. Indeed.

Margaret from Amherst, OH on 2/29/2020 7:08:44 AM:

I agree- Sometimes you are in an emergency- but this should never be the plan. The trailhead is a great option for an emergency. It is just disrespectful to landowners and others who live by the trail.

Michael from Camdenton on 3/2/2020 8:22:34 AM:

I camped in the yard of a church, I slept on a grassy area next to the bathrooms, and by the railroad tracks at the end.
Dude chill!!

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