Katy Trail State Park
A Confluence Attraction
Contact
(800) 334-6946
Participating Confluence Organization
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Location
Route stretches west across Missouri, from St. Charles to Clinton, following the old MKT Railroad corridor.
Directions
(By car to St. Charles trailhead) From I-70 West, take Exit 229 at 5th Street in St. Charles. Go north on 5th for 0.4 miles, turn right (east) on Boonslick Road and proceed to Riverside Drive. Trailhead parking is at Frontier Park.
Trail Map
For a map of the trail visit http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail
History
This is one of this country’s most outstanding rail-to-trail conversions, following the former route of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad, popularly known as the “Katy.” The trail was developed after the railroad ceased operations in this part of the corridor in 1986.
Much of the Katy follows closely the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the section between St. Charles and Boonville is a segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, designated by the National Park Service. The entire Trail is also part of the cross-country American Discovery Trail.
Current Features
The hard-packed gravel trail of 225 continuous miles links large and small towns and cities across mid-Missouri, from St. Charles to Clinton. The terrain is fairly level, making this trail a favorite with cyclists of all ages and experience levels.
Major trailheads are established at St. Charles, Jefferson City and Boonville; a number of communities along the route provide services to trail users, including food, lodging, bicycle rental and delightful wineries located in the “Missouri Rhineland” along Highway 94 and at Rocheport. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources website provides extensive information and updates on trail conditions, services and events.
The trail is wide enough to serve both cyclists and hikers, and passes through a variety of landscapes, including farms, wetlands, forests, prairies and glades. Particularly spectacular sections parallel the Missouri River under limestone bluffs. Springs, caves and many species of plants and animals can be seen. Birding locations are abundant, particularly in the major sections of the trail bordering the Missouri River.
Future Plans
Long-term plans call for creating trail connectors east and south to a number of destinations in the St. Louis region, including the unincorporated community of Machens in St. Charles County; West Alton MO and the Jones-Confluence Point State Park; the Mississippi River Trail in Illinois; Columbia Bottom Conservation Area; and the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. (Confluence Point, Columbia Bottom and the Riverfront Trail are also described on this website, as is the Portage des Sioux Nature Area one mile from the trail at Machens.)
For more information about Katy Trail State Park, see
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail
For more information on coordinated national and cross-country trails, see
http://www.discoverytrail.org
http://www.nps.gov/lecl
