Find the top rated running trails in Lake Lotawana, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We rode from the North Lawrence parking area (which is tricky to find) to the east end of the levee trail. Then from there we rode to the River Front parking area before returning to our starting point. There were porta potties at each trailhead. The trail surface is compacted gravel. The wide trail is elevated above the surrounding area which enhances the view but which also gives you more exposure to the wind. The trail crosses under the Massachusetts street bridge. We enjoyed the east portion of the trail in particular because we had river forest on one side and farm fields on the other. We plan to ride this trail again in the future.
We rode from 119th St trailhead to the 135th St trailhead and back. There are excellent parking areas at each trailhead. Porta-potties were available at trailheads. The paved trail surface was excellent. There were some steep punchy climbs as the trail went from one side of the cedar creek valley to the other. At the time we rode the trail ( December 2025) there was a pipeline construction project underway. The construction crossed the trail in 2 spots but the temporary gravel surface was passable. The trail had us feeling that we were out in the wilderness..
We rode from Clinton out 15 miles and returned to Clinton. Trail was covered with so many leaves and they made the ride very interesting - they crackled- and the surface was hidden - but the surface was fine. We were on our gravel bikes and had a great time. Temperatures were pleasant- in the 60s. Most of this stretch would be shaded. Restrooms in Clinton were closed for winter. We loved it and want to come back and do the complete trail.
I rode the Katy Trail the first week of October, 2025. I rode west to east, starting in Clinton and ending in St. Charles. My trip took 5 days. I was supported by my wife from our vehicle, so I didn't camp. We stayed in hotels each night. Here are my observations:
1. The trail is clearly the "crown jewel" of rail trails due to it's length. While the trail was in great shape with no detours (wonderful!), your view is either one of riding in a wooded area, with stone rock walls on one side for a good portion which gives you a great visual, or riding next to cornfields or soybean fields and Highway 94 traffic noise. In preparing for the ride, I was left with the impression that the Katy "followed the Missouri river". While it might follow it on a map, it was visible from the trail for less than 10% of the ride from Clinton to St. Charles.
2. One of several reasons I kept reading about why to ride west to east was the prevailing westerly winds. I didn't get those winds until the last day. The first four days had winds coming in from the east, or northeast. Although the wind speed was only noticeable on two of the days, don't expect that you'll have the wind at your back. You might....you might not.
3. Another reason I kept reading on why to ride west to east was the "high point" of the trail was approximately 25 miles west of Clinton near Green Ridge. While that is true, don't get fooled by thinking "its all downhill from there". My second day I rode 57 miles from Windsor to Boonville (my first day was just 17 miles from Clinton to Windsor because we didn't arrive in Clinton from Chicago until almost 5pm). I use the the All Trails app, and the second day, despite reaching the "high point" early in the ride that day with very little noticeable climb, my app showed 1,476 feet of total elevation climb at the end of the second day! I could tell the ride from Sedalia to Pilot Grove was a good climb that stretched for over 23 miles. Once you pass Pilot Grove, the trail mostly feels either flat or slightly downhill.
4. The mileage markers run from east to west in ascending order. So if you start from the west, the mile markers will be in descending order. They are well marked every 1 mile. I found it very useful to bring a paper map with me that showed the mileage to the next trailhead, which usually had at least a place to stop and rest. Not all trailheads have bathrooms or water, so check ahead if you're depending on the trail to provide you water. There isn't cell phone coverage on 100% of the trail, so a paper milage map is a must!
5. Unlike the GAP trail (which I HIGHLY recommend riding!), the towns right on the Katy don't have a lot of services/food with the exception of Sedalia. You can access downtown Sedalia easily from the Katy Depot trailhead. There are some GREAT towns, like Hermann, but to access them you have to ride off the trail for several miles or more on winding or busy roads with cars. Dutzow, Rocheport, Augusta (and a few others) have one or more coffee/sandwich shops on or close to the trails, but they aren't open every day of the week, so check ahead on hours of operation for where you think you will find food/drink. If you have a vehicle supporting you, I highly recommend staying at Hermann Hill Hotel and Spa (a 10 minute drive from the McKittrick trailhead). Hermann is a really remarkable town surrounded by great wineries. We had breakfast the next day at Stomp'n Grounds Expresso Cafe. A MUST stop!! The food, coffee and staff were excellent!
The Augusta trailhead has a great winery called, ironically, Augusta Winery! It's only .25 miles from the trailhead and well worth the stop! Be aware that you have a short but steep hill to climb to get to the winery from the trailhead.
All in all, I found riding the Katy from Clinton to St. Charles to be a great accomplishment for me. I had a Trek gravel bike with 35mm tubeless tires. I found the 35mm tires to be just fine on the Katy. I had no mechanical or tire issues. I witnessed a number of road bikes with what looked to be tires in the 20-something mm range. Now, I don't think they were doing the entire trail because they didn't have any gear on them, but using a narrower tire on a gravel bike is just fine for the riding the entire trail. The trail had not gotten any rain the previous week, so IT WAS VERY DUSTY!!! Plan on cleaning your chain at least once or twice to keep it performing well. Good luck and be safe!
This trail was absolutely a delight to ride. We stayed in Council Cove in an rv park by the trail. We rode 18 miles out and back. We rode past Bushong and almost to Allen. I wish we would have had more time to do more of the trail. Fall is my favorite season and the countryside was beautiful!!
Nice wide path for both biking & walking. Starting at the tennis courts for easy secure parking works great. Very clean, no issues with feeling unsafe or homelessness. Connects with Indian creek trail so can ride or walk for a long ways.
The blazing star were blooming profusely! Lots of butterflies and dragonflies. The trail was in good shape from Council Grove to the Rock Creek Bridge.
The trail is in good shape from Council Grove to the Rick Creek Bridge. Blazing Star is profuse and there were lots of butterflies and dragonflies.
This Art installation is on the Katy trail just west of Matson. They are spectacular!
We started at Mile Zero and rode out 15 miles and rode back. The trail is beautiful and well maintained but also has a rustic feeling to it. Most parts were crushed limestone and some parts were bigger gravel rock. Be prepared for no restrooms or official rest areas on this segment. We will definitely ride this trail again!
If passing through Independence, MO (Kansas City) on I-70, the trail in easily accessed directly from several hotels. Trail is mixed packed/crushed limestone and in good condition with some patches of concrete. You could tell new concrete had been poured in certain sections showing signs of continual improvement. Some of trail bridges are narrow, we at times ride Catrikes and it would have been a tight fit on a Catrike. My disappointment is the pedestrian bridge south of Bundschu Rd, reading some of the other reviews the bridge has been blocked for some time. Plenty of steel grating and bars have been welded to the bridge to prevent access. Sad repair of the bridge has not been a priority. Loss of 6.2 ish miles. There is a north and and a south section it will be great when they connect the two sections. Note the signage is not very good, really non existent, be sure to have a map available with labeled cross streets. Watch for deer LOTS of deer during the evening hours.
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