Rock Island Trail Forum

Does the Amtrak train at Alton IL allow you to carry on your bike and park it at the front area of a car?

I remember doing this in Sedalia once, but it was way back in 2017. At that time I walked on with my bike and leaned it up against an area in the front of the car.

OR, do I have to buy a bike box and stow it in the luggage. Because, ugh, I'm only going to Sedalia so I wouldn't want to do that.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

I cut and pasted this from Amtrak's site:

Over the Phone
You can purchase tickets and get travel information 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). Julie, the Amtrak automated, voice-activated agent, is happy to help. Or, if you need live, personal assistance, just say "agent" or press the "0" button on your telephone.

As Bill says, it's probably best to just call. Different locations have different rules, and they aren't always easy to suss out from the website. And even when you talk to a rep, the rep probably will not know if your bike will be in a certain part of a car, or on a rack, or in a separate car, as those things seem to be determined by the crew of the train as they see fit.

I'm coming down from Wisconsin on May 30th to do the most scenic parts of the Katy Trail, which google says to be Rocheport to Jefferson City.

I'm going to be "biking" it on my wheelchair with a handcycle attachment (with electric assist). My dog will be coming with me, and we would like to do some camping on the way as well. I have battery range of approximately 130 miles depending on terrain, but wouldn't mind recharging along the way as well.

We have 4-5 days available for trail riding and camping and would like to keep mileage capped at about 20 miles per day so we can enjoy everything else the area has to offer.

Does this sound possible, and does anyone have recommendations for places to stay, eat, and visit?

Thanks all!

The Trip Planner link, Towns and Services link, and Mileage Chart link above is a good place to start planning your ride. Keep in mind restaurant along the trail may not be open everyday of the week and the days open vary by the owners. Good idea to call ahead before showing up.

Also the mileage between Rocheport and Jefferson City is only about 37 miles so will have plenty of free time to explore if you plan on 20 mile days.

Would it be better to start in Rocheport or Jefferson City?

I'm assuming it's a round trip excursion. If so, I'd start in Rocheport (more amenities immediately near the trailhead) and go to North Jefferson. You would then end in Rocheport. The elevation change is 40 feet over a 35 mile stretch with the advantage being west to east. Unless you veer slightly west, you will miss the tunnel which spans Moniteau Creek just a couple minutes from the trailhead. There are a couple wineries and lookout points to the east of Rocheport and near the trail. All of this is available via Google Earth. If you're actually in Jefferson City, Prison Brews has a good lunch and is a micro brewery. Central Dairy is a must for ice cream. Enjoy.

You can camp at Cooper's Landing and in Hartsburg.

A group of 6-8 of us doing the trail west to east, MID JUNE, Amtrak'ing to Warrensburg, pedaling to Clinton and riding to Machen...and ending in Alton. We've only done eastern parts of the KT, now we're doing the whole thing. We've all got lots of ROAD & GRAVEL bike miles, just kinda new to KT.

Couple questions
1. Although some are camping completely, some of us will probably seek lodging, SHOULD WE MAKE RESERVATIONS?

2. Phone service on KT? Verizon? AT&T? is it all good or spotty in remote areas?

3. Pedaling from Warrensburg to Clinton on DAY 1, any recommended route for that?

Are there restaurants nearby we could walk to dinner? We will be riding the trail in early October

Maybe try out Google Maps to look nearby. For us, we would hop back on the bikes to get to the restaurants.

Short answer is no. I've stayed at Maxine's; it's in the country, as they say, maybe a couple miles from town center. However, you're not too far from the old trail detour along Engineer Avenue. Heading west a few blocks from Maxine's, you'll intersect with Engineer, then head south into town; you'll pick up the trail along Engineer. If you're coming in from the west (from Clinton), you'll already be on Engineer before getting to Maxine's. You'll be able to see all this by viewing maps such as Google or Bing. Sedalia's not that large of a town, so you'll have little trouble finding your way around. By the way, if you are coming in from the west, the trail goes right through town, so you'll find no shortage of places to eat. If coming from the east, you'll cross Engineer Ave as well. Regardless, good choice staying at Maxine's; very comfortable and homey. Happy trails.

I am looking for a dependable reasonably priced shutttle service to bring our van fron Rocheport (Friday May 30) to Herman Mo for the nest day (Sat May 31)

This restaurant is OPEN 7 days a week. Great stop at mile marker 74.

Does Leeton allow dry camping for RV,s for a night or 2 to ride the spur?

You might talk to them at City Hall and ask

Just a note: celebrating my birthday from June 8 to the 18th and other dates in June my 75th birthday and I want to offer rooms at the most inexpensive stay on the trail brought to you a few weeks a year it’s a CYCLEINNHERMANN celebration..
Trying to support the cycle community the best we can. We’re trying to make arrangements for Brett Dufur to have a book sighting at our location in the near future.
Thanks, Rich Lauer.

What day is your bday?

Mine is June 11 stop by

I am thinking about bringing my son up to ride the KATY mid June. Can anyone give me an idea of how bad the bugs might be, especially biting bugs? My son swells up and has a strong reaction to mosquito and gnat bites, and being a youngster, his misery is freely shared with Dad.

I rode the KATY 3rd week of April, and other than the usual farm field bugs in the teeth after dark, I had no bug issues at all.

Mosquitoes can be thick near bodies of water, as well as ticks if you get off the trail. Yellowjackets are the worse and wasps also, but they shouldn't be an overall obstacle for not riding the trail if you take and use repellents.

Mosquitoes can be really bad. Ticks also. DEET bug repellent is a must if you have a strong reaction to bug bites.

I think as long as I am moving, they stay off me. But one day near McBaine I stopped, and they almost got all of my blood before I could escape. I wish I remembered which month that was in. There was a very large constructed wetlands nearby, and I think the mosquitoes were coming from there.

Definitely bring repellent both spray and wipe on since as was said you ride through bug impact on your body as well when you stop they will swarm you especially around standing water which is pretty often. Keep your kids lathered up!

The shower renovation at the Turner Shelter in Tebbetts has been rescheduled to May 19 - 20. The shelter will be closed on those dates.

stopped for the night. free camping and showers. totally chill locals bar and grill with wifi. small-town vibe and definitely a good stop on the trail. call if you have questions, very nice staff to fill you in.

The big map is not in MO but just south of Cleveland Ohio. Please check it out.

There are plans to replace the showers at the Turner Shelter in Tebbetts this week. The tentative schedule is May 14 - 17. The shelter will remain open during the construction.

They are replacing a bridge on the Katy about 2 miles west of Tebbetts right at Hwy AA. Looks like a very short ride on Hwy 94 to get around the closure.

Just a quick update on the trail closure for the bridge replacement west of Tebbetts. The official closure is about 3/4 mile west of the bridge work. However, if you go thru the closure there is another access to Hwy 94 immediately before the site of the work. If you use that access, you're only on Hwy 94 for about 50 yards.

Why didn't they do it in winter when very few people ride

Easier said than done.

I was sitting at home tonight and thought I could shuttle people around the closure if they are not comfortable going around it on their bikes. Send me a text at (573) 230-3901 indicating which side of the closure you need picked up (East or West) and, if I’m around, I’ll text you back & take you around the closure.

Anyone know if they have completed the work. TY

The trail closure was still up when I mowed the trail bench area yesterday.

Thank you Gary.

Car keys were found just west of Prairie Lick, near the 3 mounted bicycles
on metal poles. The keys are on a stick on the edge of the trail.
5/9/25 at 2:15pm

The Keys are out in front of our house. If the owner sees this, but is too far down the trail to come back for them, and would like them mailed to you; If you contact me, privately, and you can identify/describe the keys on the ring, I will be happy to send them to you.

THE GOOD
It's free.
The police are friendly. Just call them when you get to town.
You can camp under cover in the pavilions.
There is a water spigot that looks locked but actually isn't.
There are ample pavilion posts to hang a hammock on.
There are ample outlets in the pavilions to charge your stuff.
There are lots of picnic tables in the pavilions.
The grass was nicely mowed and didn't seem to have muddy spots.
There were lots of trash cans and they were not overflowing.
It's not crazy far from Casey's and Deon's.
None of the people walking around the park hassled me.

THE BAD
It's all pretty dirty. Area under the pavilion needs to be swept, tables need to be wiped, and the bathrooms need to be pressure washed.
If you want to hammock outside of the pavilions, it might be difficult to find trees with proper spacing.

The people of Pilot Grove are very generous to let us strangers camp in their park. It's so nice to have a free resource like this. It was a great place for me, and I would definitely stay there again.

The restaurant is run by the sweetest people, and is a welcome change from the only other option, Casey's. The food was good and the prices were reasonable.

Is there a shuttle from the trailhead in St. Charles to the train station in Kirkwood? I know it is not too far but I am nervous about riding my bike in the city. Thank you.

What day?

Charlie and Stacey are great hosts. The sleeping cabins look brand new inside. The bunks are comfortable, with nice sheets and pillow and blanket. The heating and AC are more than adequate.

The bathhouse was clean and close by.

There's a fridge and stoves and coffee pot in the common area.

There are great spots for tents, and hammock stands and trees for hammocks.

There are nice tables and chairs to sit in and relax, and firepits with wood provided.

Casey's is close by for anything you might need.

I would definitely stay here again.

Thank you for staying with us, Bill, and for the kind words. We enjoyed you being here and the great conversations! Please come back soon!
Happy Trails!

From what I can tell, all of the shuttle services charge $120 per person. Does anyone know of someone who charges a set price? I thought some would charge a set price and then we could split the cost. There are 4 of us traveling from St. Charles to either Clinton or Green RIdge in 2 weeks.
Thank you!

People often suggest a one way van rental. We did that on the GAP trail and it worked out great. You stop wherever you want, you can pick up last minute supplies, and the cost can be pretty reasonable. Check rental car agencies and Uhaul.

Keep in mind that the local shuttles are locally owned small businesses. 120 for 240 mile shuttle for you, your bike and all your stuff is reasonable AND you're supporting the local small business.

Cabin was just like Kim advertised. It was clean and everything was easy. We would stay there again.

Thanks so much Steve - sorry I didn't get to meet you all. Hope you're having a great rest of your Katy and Rock Island adventure!

From Friends of Rock Island Trail https://rockislandtrail.org/
-------------------------------------------
Dear Rock Island Trail Supporters,

After years of dedication and advocacy, a day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Join us on Saturday, May 31, 2025, as we celebrate a major milestone in the development of the Rock Island Trail State Park with a ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies in Gerald, Owensville, and Belle.

Bring your bicycle or walking shoes and help us mark the official opening of new trail segments and the beginning of exciting progress ahead!


Event Schedule
9:00 AM – Gerald Ribbon Cutting
Celebrate the opening of 1 mile of trail at the Gerald Trailhead
Location: Hwy 50, Gerald, MO

10:30 AM – Owensville Ribbon Cutting
Join us for the grand opening of 2.5 miles of trail in Owensville
Location: Owensville City Hall, 107 W. Sears Ave, Owensville, MO

1:00 PM – Belle Groundbreaking Ceremony
Help us break ground for the trail extension in Belle
Location: Zumwalt Feed Mill, 309 Hwy 28 East, Belle, MO

Reception to Follow
Hosted by Friends of Rock Island Trail State Park
Location: Zumwalt Feed Mill, immediately following the Belle ceremony


Let’s make history together and continue building the future of the Rock Island Trail State Park!

I used the route from Lee's Summit to Pleasant Hill suggested by Mark from Lee's Summit, and added the optional section on Outer 291 in order to avoid the busy highway. It's a good route.

The higher traffic sections had wide sidewalks designated as bikeways. And the drivers on the sections where I had to be on the road were the most respectful I have ever encountered.

Thanks, Mark!!

Thanks for the information. I am in need of street by street directions between Lee's summit and Pleasant Hill. I'm riding the KT and RIS in June. Day 1 Clinton to Windsor. Day 2 Windsor to Lee's summit, Day 3 Lee's summit to Windsor, Day 4 East on the KT. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I bet Google Map can give you street-by-street directions from Lee's Summit to Pleasant Hill in just a few seconds.

Good food, decent prices, nice staff, and bike parking. And either smoking is not allowed, or just by coincidence nobody was smoking.

but when I click the link for an individual town, it's not showing anything.

For example, this link just opens a blank page.
https://bikekatytrail.com/green-ridge.aspx

Like I said, maybe it's just me, but it was working yesterday, so it feels like it might be a database thing.

Is anyone else having this issue? For example, if I click Windsor on the map above, a blank page opens and doesn't load anything else.

That link worked for me and displayed the page including the image of a tree tunnel. I am far from an expert, but suspect you need to clear your cache and/or clear cookies. Use google to search how to do that and use the instructions for the device you use, probably a PC desktop or laptop? Use your phone to take a picture of the instructions for immediate reference. Maybe another reader can chime in.

That did it! Thank you!

Bill I apologize for missing your earlier post, I was travelling that week and totally overlooked it.

But it's actually good that I missed it, since Eric had the answer!

Thank you Eric for solving this. My first guess would have been something with the Google Map, which would have taken me in a long and wrong direction, so I truly appreciate your solution!

Rooster's is your typical small town bar, but a little bit nicer. There are pool tables, and more TVs than average. There is a modern digital jukebox. The cheeseburger and tots were good. Smoking is allowed indoors, of course, unfortunately. There is an outdoor seating area.

Just a quick reminder. If it's been wet lately, the trail is softer, and it will take you longer to get where you are trying to go. This seems more pronounced on the Rock Island Trail.

The campground is in a beautiful spot, on a hillside looking over a small lake.

There is a faucet over by the fishing dock, but no other running water. I was told that the water from the faucet is drinkable.

Clean portapotty for a restroom.

Each campsite basically has a picnic table and a streetlight, which can be kind of bright. They seem to be enhancing some of the sites, which is nice.

Jay, the caretaker, is really helpful.

How is the parking in Tebbetts? I guess I am asking if it is safe for a vehicle to be parked there for two nights?

Check with Rachel Collins, she will know, or maybe let you park at or near her house.

We've left our vehicle at the trailhead before without issues. I don't worry about Katy trailheads for parking for a few days. That's what they are for.

(Admins, please delete if not allowed!)
We’re retiring — and that means someone’s about to score BIG.
We’re selling a beautiful building right on the trail in Owensville — and yep, the trail is being worked on right now.
This spot has serious potential:
? Live in it, run a bike shop, café, or both at the same time.
?? Main trailhead location = built-in traffic.
?? Tons of parking.
?? Trail front properties like this don’t come around often.
Check it out on Facebook at (Marketplace-Karen Dorton) and imagine the possibilities!

AmVet in Mokane has new hours if you’re looking to stop there for food/drink.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GMZFy3FrP/

Park is convenient and the pavilion is large if you want to set up on concrete. Showers are basic but blissfully hot on sore back and legs.
Ear plugs are a must if you want to sleep beyond 6:30 in the morning as the nearby road gets fairly busy in the morning. There is a bar close by that seems quite popular and cheery. However the night I stayed sounded like they were hosting karaoke night till 11:00 so again earplugs.

The gem for me was a recently opened coffee shop, Country Grounds Coffee Shop at 201 Depot st. right across from the trail depot. They were open early (6:30) and while the Latte good but the bacon egg and gouda cheese on sourdough was a real highlight. They open early but they also close earlier (2:00I think).

Easy on and off the trail with a very short road ride on wide shoulders (smooth pavement is such a treat). Loaded up on water and Gatorade as well as a surprising roast beef sandwich. Roast beef was actual hot roast beef like you might have with Sunday dinner. Really hit the spot.

Finding my way to the Jefferson City bridge in the dark was a bit challenging but the burger and fries at the pub were worth the trouble. The only downside is after a 68 mile day with temperatures in the 90’s I could have used a bigger water glass with refills. But after dreaming of a burger and pub fries for the previous several hours this 1/2 lb medium rare pub burger with just the right fixings was a dream come true.

A charming stop with a pleasant unpretentious atmosphere. I had a wonderful latte (best coffee of the trip) with a ham and cheese sandwich on croissant followed up with an apple turnover. All baking done on the premises. Very enjoyable stop and quite reasonably priced. Easy ride from the trail a at bridge height so no climbing on a full stomach. Set a happy tone for the rest of the day.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons of camping at Farrington City Park vs the Katy Rock Junction? I usually think in terms of traffic noise, sketchy people, access to restrooms/running water/electricity, trees for my hammock, tables to sit at, etc. Thank you!

Many use both Farrington Park and Katy-Rock Junction. The Park is a little further away from the Katy and from restaurants, but you have the beautiful lake and might spot a bald eagle. There are hammock stands at Katy-Rock

Thanks, Kim! As soon as I posted, I thought, you know, I gotta go with the small business, so I made reservations at Katy-Rock Junction. Farrington Park sounds really nice, so I will have to try it the next time. Thanks again for the guidance!

Awesome and enjoy!! Give a shout to say hi when you're in town. Appreciate all your help to trail users!