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Reply to St Charles Camping

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Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 3/17/2014 2:50:32 PM:

I'm considering opening a tent camping location near historic St. Charles. This would be on the Katy trail and offer other amenities.

What do you good people think the level of interest would be? There is none there now.

Don from Ellisville, MO on 3/17/2014 2:58:10 PM:

I think the most interest would be from those not from the St. Louis area, because they would be more likely to just start out early from their homes, rather than camp out. Related to this, I have wondered why someone in the town of Machens has not opened a camping spot near the start of the trail?

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 3/17/2014 3:14:59 PM:

Brian, there have been many posts over the last few years because of the lack of camping options in St. Charles. Many riders start, end, or turn around in St. Charles and would rather not spend the money at a motel or B&B just for a place to sleep for a few hours.

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 3/17/2014 4:18:12 PM:

Don: Yes, I agree, they would be from out of area. It's not going to be "destination camping" but just a site on the trail for bike campers.

MidSouth: Yep, that's why I have considered doing it. I'm concerned about the level of interest / size of camp. It just dawned on me to call other camp grounds on the trail.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 3/17/2014 5:24:10 PM:

I don't think I would make it very big, I have stayed at most of the campgrounds along the Katy in the last few years and they are never very crowded. So, I don't think it would be much of a money maker, but it is something that is needed at that end of the trail.

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 3/19/2014 12:11:11 PM:

Does anyone think rustic cabins would do better? Say $45-%50 a night with some tent camping also?

I intend to have a store that also serves the area, hot showers, clean restrooms, and laundry.

Also, I'm contemplating doing "elevated camping". Where there is a cement slab with a picnic table and a waterproof deck over it. You camp up on the deck. The lower portion could be screened. The reason is that would give a view of the river, provide a shelter underneath in a storm, and a mosquito free general area.

Also, I may build semi-permanent tents on top of some so people can stay without carrying/setting up a tent. Like a Yurt. With a bed and linen.

Each site will have power.

Any other ideas?

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 3/19/2014 3:43:04 PM:

A mix of rustic cabins and tent camping sounds like a good fit for the St. Charles area.

Pseudio on 3/21/2014 5:38:36 AM:

From the business end and if you could justify the investment, I believe last, there was a posting of a website that had a business tourism study from survey questionnaires of the businesses and people who use the KT.
It showed how many people use it from MO and out of state and how much they spend on lodging, food, entertainment. It could help you in the decision Brian. Maybe someone could identify the link?

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 3/24/2014 12:04:07 PM:

Is this it?

http://mostateparks.com/sites/default/files/Katy_Trail_Economic_Impact_Report_Final.pdf

Don from Ellisville, MO on 3/24/2014 7:26:20 PM:

Brian, I would say that one of the biggest obstacles you would face would be permitting and zoning. In fact, before you go too far, you should talk to both St. Charles City and County to find out where such a business could be located. I don't know what zoning is required for camping. And when you talk about providing some kind of permanent shelter over a picnic table, I bet you are getting into a different zoning (hotels, for example). The authorities could give you a lot of information about zoning that would help you greatly narrow your choices of locations.

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 3/24/2014 11:19:04 PM:

Excellent advice Don. Thank you.

I am going to the County tomorrow to discuss just that. The properties I'm looking at are unincorporated and zoned light industrial so I believe the requirements will be minimum compared to the City but I'll have my ducks in a row first.

Pseudio on 3/26/2014 4:32:32 AM:

Brian the name of the report is Katy Trail Economic Impact Final Report done in 2011 and published in 2012. It does talk about camping and the areas of the trail most used by primarily local day riders. Based on this study, camping is not a big business area on the KT. The need for more water stops, food/restaurants and bicycle/maintenance is mentioned. It is in the MO DNR park website on google.

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