Bicycle Touring Trail
This is one of America’s best trails for scenery, history, bike touring and hiking. At 238 miles, it makes a great touring trail and is especially popular with bicycle clubs, touring groups and active travel tour companies. It is unclear exactly which Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs) are allowed or encouraged on the trail, but it seems to be popular with tandem bicyclists, recumbent trikes, recumbent bikes and some of the stand-up vehicles. If anyone knows the rules regarding electric bikes, please leave a comment/reply below. Equestrians are allowed to use the western portion of the trail from Calhoun to Sedalia (state fairgrounds).
Rail Trail History
As with many rail trails, the Katy Trail is built on an abandoned railroad corridor. It occupies the right-of-way was once owned by the Missouri/Kansas/Texas Railroad that operated up until 1986. The corridor continues to provide valuable jobs, recreation and transportation as an incredible long distance bike trail. The history of this trail goes back even further than the railroad since a portion of the trail between Boonville and St. Charles is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Trail Services and Accommodations
In addition to passing through beautiful scenery along the Missouri River the trail also passes through some inviting and friendly Missouri towns. It is important to plan ahead when riding a long trail like this, but if you do so, you will discover helpful services and accommodations along the Katy Trail. If you have information about dining, lodging, camping and/or bicycle rental/repair services along the trail, please feel free to provide that information below or by contacting us using the Contact link above.
