One of the best ways to see the Show-Me State is on Missouri’s Katy Trail, the longest developed rails-to-trails project in the U.S and consistently recognized as one of the nation’s premier recreational trails, frequently landing in the top 5 of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Katy Trail (technically Katy Trail State Park) runs 240 miles across Missouri’s central section, and thanks to the recently completed Rock Island Spur, more closely connects the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.
The flat, crushed-limestone surface is ideal for bicycling and makes for an excellent walking and jogging path. Certain sections also are open for horseback riding.
No matter your method of travel, the Katy Trail offers beautiful views of the Missouri River valley as it passes cities of varying sizes and interesting areas to explore.
As you ride along the Katy Trail, your encounters include:
- Historic St. Charles – Brick-lined streets in the downtown area lead to retailers, specialty shops and restaurants. A stop at the First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site will give visitors a glimpse into what Missouri’s first legislature looked like. The city is also known as the starting point for Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery Expedition.
- Missouri’s wine country – Before Prohibition, this area was among the largest wine-producing regions in the world. Take your time enjoying a ride through Augusta, Marthasville and Hermann to learn the early history of Missouri viticulture.
- Jefferson City – The current Missouri state capital is just a short ride off the trail. A pedestrian bridge spanning over the Missouri River makes it a breeze to access the Capitol and the Missouri State Museum housed inside. Be sure to make time to enjoy the downtown area just east of the Capitol. You’ll find coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.
- Columbia, The home of the Mizzou Tigers – Take the M-K-T Trail spur at McBaine and travel about nine miles northeast to visit Columbia’s downtown area and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Rocheport – It’s an excellent location to refuel and rest on your journey. Visit Les Bourgeois Vineyards, bed-and-breakfast inns, restaurants like the Meriwether Cafe and Bike shop and antique stores.
- Booneville – With its founding dating to the early 1800s and hundreds of sites and structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Boonville has abundant stories to tell. Located at the trailhead, visit the Rivers, Rails and Trails Museum and bike over to the Depot District housing the Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum.
- Sedalia – Home of the Missouri State Fair and home to another historic Katy Trail Depot. Step inside and learn about the area’s railroad history. Take a ride about 4 miles into downtown and refuel your appetite at No. 5 Bistro and Bar, located in the former offices and pattern making facilities of the Lamy Manufacturing Company, home of No. 5 Levi’s.
- The end of the line – The trail officially ends a few miles from Truman Lake near Clinton. Don’t miss the Henry County Museum and Cultural Arts Center, and the 1893 Henry County Courthouse. As you ride from Sedalia to Clinton, the new Rock Island Spur of the Katy Trail connects at Windsor. From Windsor, the spur leads you northwest to the Kansas City suburb of Pleasant Hill.
Visit the park’s website for more information to plan your trip.