2025
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Welcome to the Missouri: Katy Trail Bike Tour!
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The Katy Trail State Park is the longest developed rail-trails in the country at 240 miles! You will love it!
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The daily routes allow you to ride every mile of the trail; or if you prefer to ride shorter parts.
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The trail was built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas, Kansas-Texas Railroad and runs between Clinton and Machens, Missouri with 26 trailheads to enjoy.
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In addition the trail is designated as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the American Discovery Trail, as a Millennium Legacy Trail and added to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame in 2008.
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The Katy Trail allows users the opportunity to wind through the most scenic areas along the railroad that follows the Missouri River. Who doesn’t love to ride their bicycle by bike path along the river? The park has many things to take in including the small towns that once thrived along the railroad.
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Bicycling is one of the most popular activities in Missouri’s State Park. The breath-taking landscapes and great views are everywhere!
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Though bicyclists are the primary users of the trail, occasional hikers, equestrians and backpackers are permitted on the trail as well.
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One frequent question that has been asked, "What happens if we have a strong Missouri headwind?" Answer: We have designed each day's route to be reversible. So if there is a forecast headwind then we will just ride the route in the opposite direction!
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The Katy Trail is on crushed limestone. The trail is normally in very good shape for all bikes; though e-bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes or bicycles with wider tires are recommended.
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Unpack only one time. We stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.
Day 1, Saturday
Welcome Dinner
Start your vacation on Saturday in Jefferson City, Missouri, the capital of the state of Missouri. The city is large but not too large and is part of the third largest population area in the state. Jefferson City is named after Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. It is located between Kansas City and St. Louis. During the Civil War, Jefferson City was occupied by the Union Troops. Jefferson City economy relies on government, health care, manufacturing, retail, education, and tourism. One of the notable residents of Jefferson City is Arthur Frommer, the travel writer of Frommers’ travel guides, which before the Internet were essential reading for travel and sold over 75 million books. Take time to visit or see the Missouri State Capitol, St. Peter Church (adjacent to the capital), Missouri Governor’s Mansion and the Missouri State Museum. It is beautiful. In the late afternoon, meet at the hotel at 4:00 pm for the Welcome meeting, followed by dinner with friends - new and old - to start your bicycling vacation!
Dinner:
Duke's on the Boulevard
- #1 Ranked Restaurant in the City by TripAdvisor -
Jefferson City, Missouri
Entrée Choices include:
- Ahi Tuna Salad - Seared rare tuna, cabbage, carrots, ginger vinaigrette, Yum-Yum, and wontons
- Duke's Specialty Smash Burgers - Brioche bun with choices including Duke's Original, The Frisco, Hangover and The Melt
- Blackened Atlantic Salmon - Honey glaze and steak butter served with your choice of two sides
- NOLA Pasta - Chicken breast, Andouille sausage, Alfredo, marinara & penne pasta
Lodging:
Hampton Inn Jefferson City
Jefferson City, Missouri
(Stay at the same hotel for the entire bicycle tour. Just unpack one time!)
- Internet
- Business Center
- HD TVs
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Indoor Pool
Day 2, Sunday
Machens Trailhead to Augusta Trailhead on the Katy Trail
We start our ride at the Black Walnut Trailhead after a van ride from Jefferson City. We bicycle from Black Walnut to Machens, Missouri and the start of the Katy Trail. Machens is now an extinct town but was established in 1895 with a U.S. Post Office that remained in operation until 1956. We must bike from Black Walnut to Machens, since the trail now is the only way to get to Machens. Interestingly, though both Machens and Black Walnut are only minutes from St. Louis, but both are located in farm country without any "big city" clues to let you know that you are so close to the 21st largest population area in the U.S. We ride the trail to Augusta with rolling hills on one side and the river to the other. Of course, we are on a rail trail, so though we see hills we do not actually experience any climbing. The Augusta Winery near the trailhead is a wonderful place to sample wines featured with sale pricing.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: On the Katy Trail; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 37 miles riding from the Black Walnut Trailhead to the Augusta Trailhead or 43 miles riding from Black Walnut Trailhead to the Machens Trailhead and the beginning/end of the Katy Trail and then making a u-turn back and riding to the Augusta Trailhead (The Machens Trailhead is the beginning/end of the Katy Tail, but does not have access by vehicles). [The route is on a rail trail and is basically flat]
Dinner:
El Jimador
Jefferson City, Missouri
Entrée Choices include:
- Fajitas - Chicken, Steak, Shrimp of Vegetarian served sizzling hot
- Santa Fe Chicken - Chicken breast delicately seasoned and grilled to perfection, topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers and jack cheese.
- Quesadilla - Chickens, Steak, Sausage or Shrimp
- Taco Salad - Crisp flour tortilla filled with beef or chicken over fresh lettuce with cheese, sour cream guacamole and tomatoes
Day 3, Monday
Augusta Trailhead to McKittrick Trailhead on the Katy Trail
On our second day on the Katy Trail, we pick-up where we left-off the previous day in the humble hamlet of Augusta. Augusta is in the heart of Missouri's first wine region. After its founding in 1836 it grew into a trading center with the community producing and growing grain, livestock and wine grapes. Since its founding in 1880 the population now stands at 270, but most importantly, though small it features its very own library and winery! In fact, the Augusta appellation was recognized as the first U.S. Wine District or Viticultural Area #1, because of its unique soil, climate, historical significance and quality of wines produced from grapes grown in vineyards that date to the 1800’s. Hopefully, you picked up a bottle of wine the prior day to enjoy. After departing from the Augusta we head to McKittrick as we continue following close to the Missouri River.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: On the Katy Trail; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 35 miles riding from the Augusta Trailhead to the McKittrick Trailhead. [The route is on a rail trail and is basically flat]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 4, Tuesday
McKittrick Trailhead to North Jefferson City Trailhead on the Katy Trail
As we continue on our westward journey, we will again take the vans to the place we were picked-up the previous day in McKittrick. Mckittrick was another city that owes its founding to the railroad. There are still glimpses of what were once a thriving communities as we pass through the trailheads of Portland, Mojave and Tebbetts on the way to North Jefferson. Of course, the North Jefferson trailhead is about the mid-point of the Katy Trail and within eyesight of the Missouri Capital building.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: On the Katy Trail; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 43 miles riding from the McKittrick Trailhead to the North Jefferson City Trailhead. [The route is on a rail trail and is basically flat]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 5, Wednesday
Free Day; or Clinton or Windsor or Sedalia Depot Trailheads to Boonville Trailhead on the Katy Trail
Today enjoy a free day or have the option of riding the longest ride of the tour (or shorter route options). After taking the vans to Clinton we ride from the beginning/end point of the Katy Trail in Clinton to the final stop of the day in Boonville, one of the biggest cities on the Katy Trail and the last stop before crossing over the Missouri River, in fact it is the only place the Katy Trail crosses the Missouri River. Along the way view farmland, plains and vintage railroad cars from the old KT Railroad at the various trailheads. One of the highlights of the ride is the Sedalia Depot, a restored historic passenger depot listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Sedalia KATY Depot greeted passengers on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Rail Line for decades. It is a great place to pause and appreciated its history and legacy. On any of the routes end your ride in Boonville, named for Daniel Boone. Throughout the civil war, Boonsville's strategic location on the Missouri River made it a key target for both sides of the Civil war.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: On the Katy Trail; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 35 miles riding from the Sedalia Depot Trailhead to the Boonville Trailhead; or 56 miles riding from the Windsor Trailhead to the Boonville Trailhead; or 73 miles riding from the Clinton Trailhead (The beginning/end of the Katy Trail) to the Boonville Trailhead [The route is on a rail trail and is basically flat]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday
Boonville or Rocheport Trailhead to North Jefferson City Trailhead on the Katy Trail
After taking the vans and beginning the ride in Boonville, where we ended our ride yesterday or starting in Rocheport; we then ride back to North Jefferson Trailhead and complete the final leg of our adventure. After completing today's ride, we have now covered the entire length of the Katy Trail, the longest-developed rail-trail in the country. Today we also have ridden in the only tunnel on the entire Katy Trail. The Rocheport tunnel is 240-foot in length and was originally build to avoid the constant flooding in the area of the Missouri River.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: On the Katy Trail; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 35 miles riding from the Rocheport Trailhead to the North Jefferson City Trailhead; or 49 miles riding from the Boonville Trailhead Jefferson City Trailhead [The route is on a rail trail and is basically flat]
Dinner:
Oscar's Classic Diner
- The most popular, most awarded and busiest restaurant in Jefferson City, since 2004 -
Jefferson City, Missouri
Dinner choices include:
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Fish & Chips - Golden brown catfish fillet served with homemade chips and tartar sauce.
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Chicken Penne Carbonara - Sautéed mushrooms, crumbled bacon and tender chicken in Oscar's rich cream sauce
- Sirloin Steak - One of Oscar's most flavorful steaks, naturally firm and lean.
- Grilled Chicken Salad - Tender chicken marinated and grilled to perfection, layered on a bed of fresh mixed greens, tomatoes, red onion, cheddar and mozzarella
- Fresh Harvest Strawberry Salad - A fresh harvest blend topped with onions, sliced strawberries, peans and crumbled blue cheese with grilled or crispy chicken
Day 7, Friday
Bicycle one last time on your own before departing for home.
Breakfast provided by hotel each morning
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
- Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. The routes are all on the designated Katy Trail Bike path. Please see the daily routes descriptions for additional information. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast or anything in-between.
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The Katy Trail is on crushed limestone. The trail is normally in very good shape for all bikes; though e-bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes or bicycles with wider tires are recommended.
Arriving by Automobile:
- Drive to the starting hotel: Hampton Inn Jefferson City, 4800 Country Club Dr, Jefferson City, Missouri
Arriving by Plane:
- Fly into the Columbia, Missouri Regional Airport (COU) and rent a car or take an airport shuttle (such as W&WSRT Shuttle) for the for the 26 minute drive to the hotel. Some people may choose to into the St. Louis International Airport (STL) and rent a car for the 1 hour 50 minute drive to the hotel.
Deposit:
- $200 to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
What is Included:
- Hotel lodging
- Ride Packets with Cue Sheets (directions)
- Garmin/GPS routes to download
- Google Maps routes for your iPhone or Android Phone
- Fully sagged including van transportation and rider assistance.
- Breakfast each morning
- Happy Hours (BYOB) on selected evenings
- Dinner with the group three evenings (see above)
- Great riding, scenery, fun and enjoyment!
Bicycles:
- Most participants bring their own bicycles
- To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. To ship your bike to the hotel: Hampton Inn Jefferson City, 4800 Country Club Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109
- If you fly, many major airlines including now waive the oversize fee for bicycles (sporting equipment) and just the standard luggage fee applies. Please contact your airline for all the details.
- Bike Rental: Bikes are available for rent in the area. We suggest conducting a Google search in Jefferson City or in nearby Columbia to find the best place to accommodate your needs.
Weather on the Katy Trail area at the time of trip:
- Average High: 69°