Explore the longest, continuous rail-trail in the nation
Stretching 240 miles across the belly of Missouri, the Katy Trail is a historical and recreational gem. Built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT Railroad), the Katy is the longest, continuous rail-trail in the nation. “Because the Katy is the longest, it is a bucket list item for a lot of people,” says David Kelly, director of Missouri State Parks. “It brings people into Missouri from not only all the country but really all over the world.” David and wife, Cindy, members of Boone Electric Cooperative, spend three or four nights each week walking the trail near their home in Hartsburg. The trail, which opened in 1990, is likely the skinniest state park in the country. The next few pages provide a tour of some of the must-see sights, historical landmarks and fun to be had on the Katy. Whether you hike a few miles at a time or bike the entire trail, you can essentially travel across the state, visiting towns large and small, without being on a major highway. “No other state has anything like that,” David says.
In western Missouri, the Katy begins in Clinton. From there the crushed-limestone trail meanders through peaceful farmland and small-town Americana. Visitors will find 26 trailheads and traverse more than 30 trestle bridges along the trail’s many miles, which are measured by the original railroad mile marker system. The trail is mostly flat, with its summit of 955 feet a few miles west of Green Ridge.
The fully restored Sedalia Katy Depot was built in 1896 to serve the MKT Railroad. Today you can learn all about railroad history and the story behind the beginning of the Katy Trail. It is also a great place to snag a Katy Trail souvenir. While in Sedalia, you can enjoy tunes during the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, gaze at inspiring paintings at the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art or tour the majestic Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site.
You can extend your bike ride via the 47.5 completed miles of the Rock Island Trail State Park, which connects Windsor and Pleasant Hill. The Rock Island spans a section of the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
Of the four restored train depots, the Boonville Depot features a Santa Fe Mission style. While in town, check out the Rivers, Rails and Trails Museum or the Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum. You’ll also find lots of dining and lodging options along the town’s Main Street.
Pack a picnic or snap a selfie at one of the trail’s must-see attractions, the Burr Oak near McBaine. Estimated at between 350 and 400 years old and with a trunk measuring 7 feet in diameter, it is known locally as The Big Oak Tree and makes a perfect pit stop.
The photogenic Rocheport Tunnel is the only stone tunnel on the Katy Trail — and is a relic of the ingenuity needed to complete the MKT Railroad. While in this charming and tiny town, you can grab a bite to eat or peruse unique shops.
If you’ve seen England’s Stonehenge and Nebraska’s Carhenge, you can complete the trifecta with Easley’s Boathenge. After the major floods of the 1990s, anonymous artists erected six boats that mimic Stonehenge. After viewing, head to nearby Cooper’s Landing where you’ll often find live music and food trucks.
From the trail, you can take a short ride into Jefferson City via the Missouri River pedestrian and bike bridge. Take a tour through the Missouri State Capitol, snag a steaming cup of coffee or load up on some calories with a scoop or two at Central Dairy.
The Standing Rock near Mokane is just off the trail. You can see high water marks and dates from various floods in the past century.
The Katy welcomes equestrian enthusiasts to two sections of the trail, from the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia to Clinton and from Portland to Tebbetts.
A few miles off the trail in Defiance is the Daniel Boone Home, which was built by Daniel Boone’s son in the early 1800s. Other nearby sites include grain elevators, which were the focal point of rural railroad communities. You can still see the original elevators in Treloar and Calhoun. Others in Marthasville, McKittrick and Tebbetts are still in use.
For 185 miles, the Katy runs along the Missouri River. You can enjoy the beautiful views with a glass of vino at the dozen or so wineries in Rocheport, Hermann, Augusta and Defiance.
Over half the Katy’s length follows Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s path up the Missouri River. You’ll see historical markers along trail for their epic journey, and in St. Charles you can visit the 15-foot monument featuring Lewis and Clark and Clark’s dog, Seaman. In 1804, the duo met in St. Charles to gather supplies before embarking to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory.