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Katy Trail Missouri Trail Maps, Businesses, Events, Mileage, and more
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About Katy Trail State Park, MO
The Katy Trail is a 237 mile (386 km) trail stretching across most of the state of Missouri.
(Use this link if you're looking for the Dallas Katy Trail).
Over half of it follows Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri River, where you can
ride beneath towering river bluffs while eagles circle overhead.
After leaving the river, the trail meanders through peaceful farmland and small-town Americana.
America's longest "rails-to-trail" project, formerly the MKT rail line, is flat and scenic.
It's ideal for hiking, running, or cycling on just about any kind of bike.
Horseback riding is also allowed on a 25 mile section of the trail, from Sedalia to Calhoun.
Many cross-country cyclists include the Katy Trail in their tours.
It is part of
Adventure Cycling's Lewis & Clark route, as well as the
American Discovery Trail.
Runners love to use the Katy Trail for Long Slow Distance runs, because it's flat, scenic,
and the crushed limestone trail surface is easy on your legs.
The only drawback is that there are long distances without access to water, so runners and hikers might need to
carry your their water. Or simply plan your excursion along parts of the trail where the towns offering
water, groceries, or vending machines are not too far apart.
For example, Defiance and Matson are only 1.5 miles apart, and Peers and Marthasville are 2 miles apart.
Lots of towns are about 5 miles from the next town.
Visit the FAQ Page for more general trail information.
Or, dive right in and start planning your ride -- check out the
towns and services along the trail, or build your own
customized list of just the towns and services that interest you.
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What's Going On
Machens!
The long-awaited extension to Machens is now open, pushing out the eastern end of the
trail an additional 12.6 miles beyond St Charles.
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WINTER on the Katy Trail |
The Katy Trail is open year-round, and even in the cold weather there's plenty to enjoy.
When there's snow on the ground, it's a prime spot for cross country skiing.
And it's always great for hikers, runners, cyclists who don't mind the cold.
Without leaves on the trees, you'll get a clearer view of the river, bluffs, and countryside.
Just remember to dress appropriately for the cold, and be aware that some businesses along the trail
close during the winter.
As you browse through the website, you'll see "Closed for the season" next to any businesses that we know to be
closed for winter.
Please let us know if we missed any.
If you are relying on a particular business to be open for you, call ahead just to make sure they really
will be open when you get there.
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Representing the businesses and towns all along the trail,
Katy Trail Merchants and Communities
serves as a Chamber of Commerce to the trail.
If your business gets customers or your town gets tourists from the Katy Trail, please consider
joining "Katy MaC".
The organization is especially helping promote the trail during the 20th anniversary celebration this year.
 Get the GUIDEBOOK
The Updated and Revised 9th edition of The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook is now available.
The book is $18.95 and can be ordered online at www.pebblepublishing.com.
The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook is a guide to services, towns, people, places and history.
It includes wineries, B&Bs, camping, photos, maps and a fold out map and mileage chart of the whole Katy Trail.
Whether you're hiking, biking or touring by car, this guidebook is the definitive resource to take you there.
Visit the Pebble Publishing website to get your copy.
One of the best ways to experience the Katy Trail is on an organized group tour.
Typically, the lodging and some meals are prearranged, so you can concentrate on the trail.
There are several organized end-to-end rides each year.
The biggest, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, occurs in mid-June.
Several rides are scheduled each year - as rides are announced, they are added to our list of
organized rides along the trail.
Another approach: there are also tour organizers who will put together a more individually customized ride for you.
In general, they take care of most lodging arrangements, some meals, luggage transfer and point to point
transportation, so you can focus more on the ride itself.
Here is a list of tour organizers operating on the Katy Trail.
Follow this link for current Katy Trail
weather conditions, and Missouri average temperatures and precipitation.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms are uncommon in the winter in Missouri, but you should still be prepared, be safe, and be ready for winter weather! After a heavy snow, some parts of the trail may be hard to follow under the blanket of snow. Dress appropriately for cold weather.
Check a weather website prior to your trip.
Weather patterns generally move west-to-east across Missouri, so you can try to predict
your weather conditions by looking at the current
weather radar.
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources
If you are aware of any adverse trail conditions on the Katy Trail,
please let us know the specifics,
or contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Beyond the Katy Trail...
 If you like the Katy Trail, you'll also enjoy the
C&O Canal Towpath Trail and
Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).
The C&O runs 185 miles from Washington DC to Cumberland Maryland, along the banks of the Potomac River.
The GAP connects to the C&O at Cumberland MD and runs across a significant part of Pennsylvania.
Together, the C&O and GAP enable you to ride 335 miles from Pittsburgh to Washington DC.
 Travelling to Florida? If so, check out our sister website for
Sanibel Island, Florida,
the most bike-friendly island you'll ever visit (nice beaches too!).
 How about New England? The
Cape Cod bike trails are south of Boston,
with beaches, lighthouses, and more.
 In South Carolina, enjoy biking on
Hilton Head Island's bike trails and beaches.
The Silver Comet Trail in Georgia connects up with the
Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama,
giving you nearly 100 miles of scenic paved trail.
The Cowboy Trail in Nebraska will eventually
stretch over 300 miles - even longer than the Katy Trail.
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