Katy Trail State Park:
Missouri
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Description:
From the Katy Trail State Park website:

Katy Trail State Park is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad (better known as the Katy). When the railroad decided to cease operation on its route from Machens in St. Charles County to Sedalia in Pettis County in 1986, it presented the chance to create an extraordinary recreational opportunity -- a long-distance hiking and bicycling trail that would run across the state.

The opportunity for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to acquire the right-of-way was made possible by the National Trails System Act, which provides that railroad corridors no longer needed for active rail service can be banked for future transportation needs and used on an interim basis for trails. Today, Katy Trail state park is open for 225 miles from St. Charles to Clinton.

The trail allows users to travel through some of the most scenic areas of the state. The majority of the trail closely follows the route of the Missouri River so hikers and bicyclists often find themselves with the river on one side and towering bluffs on the other. The trail travels through many types of landscapes including dense forests, wetlands, deep valleys, remnant prairies, open pastureland and gently rolling farm fields.

Although the scenery often changes, the trail remains fairly level and constant as it meanders through the countryside. Trail heads, which provide parking areas and other amenities, are located periodically along the trail. Many communities also offer services to trail users.

The section of trail between St. Charles and Boonville has been designated as an official segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the entire trail is part of the American Discovery Trail. The trail also has been designated as a Millennium Legacy Trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Directions to Katy Trail trailheads:

St. Charles Trail Head at mile marker 39.5 -- from I-70, take exit 229 for 5th St. Turn left at S. 5th St. Slight left at Boone's Lick Rd. Turn right at E. Chauncey Rd.

Greens Bottom Rd. Trail Head at mile marker 45.7 -- from MO-94, turn south onto Jungs Station Rd. Turn east (right) onto Greens Bottom Rd.

Weldon Spring Trail Head at mile marker 56 -- from MO-94, follow highway sign and turn south to trail head.

Defiance parking lot at mile marker 59.1 -- immediately southeast of MO-94 in the community of Defiance.

Matson Trail Head at mile marker 60.6 -- immediately west of MO-94 in the community of Matson.

Augusta Trail Head at mile marker 66.3 -- from MO-94, turn south onto Jackson St. Turn east (left) onto Main St. Turn south (right) onto Public St.

Dutzow Trail Head at mile marker 74 -- from Hwy. 47, turn northeast onto MO-94. From MO-94, turn northwest (left) into trail head immediately south of community of Dutzow.

Marthasville Trail Head at mile marker 77.7 -- from Hwy. 47/MO-94, turn north onto First St. Turn west (left) onto Depot St.

Treloar Trail Head at mile marker 84.4 -- from MO-94, turn north onto Koch Creek Rd./Rt. N.

McKittrick Trail Head at mile marker 100.8 -- from MO-94, turn north onto Hwy. 19. Turn east (right) onto Main St. Turn south (right) onto Sterling St.

Portland Trail Head at mile marker 115.9 -- from MO-94, turn south onto Market St.

Mokane Trail Head at mile marker 125 -- from MO-94, turn north onto Rt. C.

Tebbetts Trail Head at mile marker 131.2 -- from MO-94, turn north onto County Rd. 485.

N. Jefferson Trail Head at mile marker 143.2 -- from Hwy. 54, turn west onto Rt. W/Cedar City Dr. Turn north (right) onto Oilwell Rd. Turn east (right) onto Katy Rd.

Hartsburg Trail Head at mile marker 153.6 -- from Hwy. 63, turn southwest onto Rt. A.

McBaine Trail Head at mile marker 169.5 -- from Hwy. 63, turn west onto Hwy. 163. Turn south (left) onto Rt. K.

Rocheport Trail Head at mile marker 178.3 -- from I-70, take exit 115 to Rt. BB, to Rocheport. Turn south (left) onto Pike St. Turn east (left) onto First St.

New Franklin Trail Head at mile marker 188.2 -- from Hwy. 40, turn north onto Hwy. 5. Turn east (right) onto E. Mokane St. Turn south (right) onto Howard St.

Boonville Trail Head at mile marker 191.8 -- from Hwy. 5, turn south west onto Spring St. Turn lsouth (left) onto 1st St.

Pilot Grove Trail Head at mile marker 203.3 -- from I-70, take exit 98 for Hwy. 135 south, towards Pilot Grove. Turn west (right) onto Roe St. Turn north (right) onto Main St.

Clifton City Trail Head at mile marker 215.4 -- from Hwy. 135, turn onto Rt. BB.

Sedalia Trail Head at mile marker 229 -- from Hwy. 50, turn north onto Engineer Ave. Turn east (right) onto E. 3rd St.

Sedalia Fairgrounds parking area at mile marker 229.9 -- from Hwy. 50, turn onto Hwy. 65 S. Turn west (right) onto Rt. Y. Turn south (left) onto Clarendon Rd.

Green Ridge Trail Head at mile marker 239.2 -- from Hwy. 65 S, turn west onto Rt. B. Turn south onto Hwy. 127.

Windsor Trail Head at mile marker 248 -- from Hwy. 65 S, turn west onto Hwy. 52. Turn north (right) onto Rt. 2.

Clinton Trail Head at mile marker 255.5 -- from Hwy. 52, turn north onto Olive St.

Calhoun Trail Head at mile marker 264.6 -- from Hwy. 52, turn onto Green St.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Katy Trail - 13th Year
By erinswim on August 15, 2010
I began riding the Katy Trail in 1997 and have not stopped (well, I may have missed a couple of years in there). Each year I drive to Sedalia, park my car at the trail head, hop on my bike and spend 3 glorious days riding to the downtown train station in St. Louis. This year, I decided to add a day to the ride and take the MKT into Columbia, MO. Unfortunately, the MKT was undergoing construction so I did not get to fully appreciate that trail. Guess I will have to try it again next year. The fact that I keep going back after 13 years is testimony to how awesome this trail is. It is beautiful; it is well-maintained (a state park, no less); it is challending and loads of fun. I would recommend this trail to anyone.
KATY TRAIL DOTTED WITH SMALL QUAINT TOWNS
By Linda Clark on September 13, 2009
THE FIRST DAY RODE THE TRAIL EAST FROM FEFFERSON CITY. STOPPED AT A FUN PUB IN TEBBETTS NAMED JIM'S BAR (Jim is the owner and bartender). A large group were there playing spoons, wash boards, tub drums and bases. They came by horseback. The nex day rode West from North Jefferson Trail Head. This direction is more attractive as it has views of the Missouri River. This is the longest uninterupted trail in the US. Small towns dot the trail for easy access to food and hydration. Saw a copper head today it did not bother me and I did not slow down to take a closer look. If one could alot the time and planning necessary the entire trail would be worth the trip. The trail is well marked, safe, in good condition, has abundent shade, and easy to find.
KATY Trail Ride June 2009
By Geanine on August 06, 2009
The ride was beautiful. The staff took excellent care of the riders. The trail is great, but I would not recommend a road bike. I hope to do the ride again with more of my riding friends. Geanine Lehmann, Madison, AL
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