Geo from Bentonville Transplant from Chicagoland on 10/28/2024 4:39:16 PM:
Leaving this comment about the Hermann City Park on the McKittrick Trailhead forum as there is no forum link for Hermann. It was Octoberfest when I was riding the Trail from October 9th through the 14th. I wanted to visit the German town of Hermann during this month. Hermann is two miles south from the McKittrick TH. It was Day 4. The City Park is $15/night with a limited number of fire rings. There is a shower house which I needed badly since Hartsburg's shower option was unavailable. You basically pick a grassy spot for a tent and call it your site. There were no more fire rings available so I built my fire in the pedestal grill located on one side of the pavilion. The pavilion has power to charge electronics and a plethora of picnic tables. The City Park was full of RVs and other tent campers; however, I was completely alone between the pavilion and playground. Occasionally a few kids would play on the equipment but at nightfall it was fairly peaceful given the fact that the park is adjacent to Highway 19. I discovered Stone Hill Winery was .5 miles away and ready for a break after setting up camp so I rode the half mile, up a VERY steep hill to the winery where I bought a bottle of wine and sat at a picnic table on a hill overlooking the residential section of Hermann. Live music played in the background. They have a restaurant on site so since it was dinner time, I decided to eat there. You can bring your bottle of wine in the restaurant which I enjoyed with the best trout, fingerling potatoes and roasted Brussel sprouts. Afterwards, I rode to Casey's and bought a bundle of wood for my 'grill' fire. The next morning I enjoyed breakfast at Ainsley's. Get there early as it's popular. They take you in the order you arrived. It was delicious! Great start to Day 5's ride to Washington.