Missouri’s Katy Trail: A Year-Round Adventure

First posted on 03-29-2007

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)—Whether you’re a bicyclist, hiker, nature lover or history buff, Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park offers an opportunity to explore Missouri’s natural beauty and rich history year-round. The long-distance walking and biking trail, winding more than 225 miles through central Missouri, welcomes people of all ages to discover the heart of Missouri. Extensions are planned at both ends of the trail.

Built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad, Katy Trail State Park is America’s longest rails-to-trails project. When the railroad ceased operation on its route from Machens to Sedalia in 1986, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources acquired the right-of-way. With a generous donation by the late Edward D. “Ted” Jones, the trail was constructed. Today, the Katy Trail State Park gives those who love the outdoors a safe pathway stretching from St. Charles to Clinton. Horseback riding is allowed between the Calhoun and the Sedalia Fairgrounds trailheads, a distance of approximately 25 miles. Parking lots along the equestrian section accommodate trailer parking.

The hard-packed crushed limestone surface is fairly level and constant as it meanders through the countryside. With more than 28 trailheads along its length, the Katy is very accessible, offering trips of varying distance. The trail is handicap-accessible. Businesses at many trailheads provide bike rentals, refreshments, food, lodging and restrooms. Many bike shops offer two-person bikes, wheelchair bikes, handcycles and specialized equipment to make the trail enjoyable for handicapped individuals. The trail affords easy access to several award winning wineries and two microbreweries; find them in Defiance, Augusta, Dutzow, Hermann, Hartsburg, and Rocheport.

No matter what the season, the scenery along the trail is quite beautiful, with diverse panoramas of Missouri’s landscape, from sandstone and limestone bluffs, dense forests and sweeping river views, to wetlands, gently rolling farmland and prairies. Many stretches have the mighty Missouri River along one side and towering bluffs on the other.

With so many types of habitat, wildlife is abundant. A canopy of oak and sycamore trees gives cool shade in summer, giving way to brilliant color in fall. Wintertime vistas can be breathtaking. Bird enthusiasts are likely to see and hear many species of birds along the trail year-round, including a large variety of song birds, geese, woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, turkey vultures and the occasional bald eagle. Keep a sharp eye out for deer, opossum, beaver, mink, raccoon and other critters.

The Katy Trail weaves through dozens of small towns that once thrived along the railroad corridor. These communities are welcome stopping points, offering antiques, quaint historic districts, cafes, craft shops and bed and breakfast inns.

History buffs will enjoy exploring the longest non-motorized public portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Katy section between St. Charles and Boonville has been officially designated a segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Markers identify campsites used by the explorers and point out landmarks noted in the Corps of Discovery journals. Near Rocheport, travelers can view a rare surviving pictograph left by American Indians.

For more information on Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park and related businesses, visit http://www.BikeKatyTrail.com. Find Missouri wineries at http://www.MissouriWine.org. To learn about other Missouri locations, log on at http://www.VisitMO.com. For your free copy of the 2007 Official Missouri Vacation Planner, call 800-519-4800.