Katy Trail, MO

The Katy Trail is one of the longest rails-to-trails projects at 237 miles from Clinton to Machens, Missouri going eastbound. Half of the trail overlaps with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The trail is open year-round, however, the best time to go is during the fall. Dogs are permitted on leash. Horses are allowed in certain sections of the trail. Motor vehicles are prohibited on the trail.

Katy Trail Quick Links
Pawtivity Listing: Essential info & tips for dog owners. Link
Website: http://www.bikekatytrail.com/
Maps & Access: Trail Map http://www.bikekatytrail.com/katy-trail-map.aspx  |  Parking http://www.bikekatytrail.com/planner.aspx?tid=1&StartCityID=0&EndCityID=0&chkParking=on
Start: Clinton, MO 38.381203, -93.763199 Map
End: Machens, MO 38.903456 -90.331389 Map
Terrain: Gravel
Elevation: Mostly Flat, http://www.bikekatytrail.com/elevations.aspx
Dog Policy: Dogs must be leashed. Info
Motor Vehicles: Not Allowed

Bikers can spend about 5 days biking the entire route. The trail is made of gravel so best suitable for mountain bikes and hybrid bikes. Plan your trip using the Katy Trail’s interactive map. Parking is very easy and accessible.

The Katy Trail starts and ends at:

Clinton, Missouri
GPS Coordinates 38.381203, -93.763199 Map
Clinton is southwest of Kansas City.

Machens, Missouri
GPS Coordinates 38.903456 -90.331389 Map
Machens is northeast of St. Charles.

The entire trail is relatively flat with a slight increase in elevation past Boonville, MO. The route passes through several small towns so, there’s a lot to see, eat, and do along the trail, including plenty of campgrounds and other lodgings.

Main trailheads are located in these cities: Clinton, Calhoun, Windsor, Green Ridge, Sedalia, Clifton City, Pilot Grove, Boonville, New Franklin, Rocheport, McBaine, Hartsburg, North Jefferson City, Tebetts, Mokane, Portland, McKittrick, Treloar, Marthasville, Dutzow, Augusta, Matson, Weldon Springs, Green Bottom, St. Charles, and Machens. A mileage chart is available at http://www.bikekatytrail.com/mileage-chart.aspx.

Want to join a group that bikes from St. Charles to Clinton? The Missouri State Parks and Missouri State Parks Foundation hosts an organized ride event every summer.

Want to go one-way? You’ll need to make reservations. Several other service providers provide shuttles to access points along the trail. Amtrak also allows bikes on the trail with advanced reservation however spacing may be limited. More shuttle information can be found here: http://www.bikekatytrail.com/planner.aspx?chkShuttle=on

The Katy Trail connects with the Rock Spur Trail at Windsor, MO – GPS Coordinates 38.540631-93.519752 Map. The Rock Spur Trail continues on towards Kansas City.

Help a fellow dog owner! Do you have an adventure story? Contact us and we will link it to this pawtivity or event! Where did you go? What did you do? Please include any useful tips and advice that would help others!

Location: Clinton | Machens | St. Charles | Missouri
Activities: Walking, Biking, Mountain Biking, Running, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Sports – Winter, Fat Tire Biking