Rock Island Trail Forum

We are trying to plan a 4 day trip from Clinton to St. Charles on August 20th. So far it looks like we might stay in Booneville, Hartsburg, McKittrick, and St. Charles. Any suggestions on the best places to stay and what to take. We are planning to take clothing and wasn't quite sure how to pack it and lunches and some of the towns were finding it hard to find places to stay. Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

I can't tell you where to stay, but here's some advice on packing: Visit your local bike shop and get some panniers (bags that mount on the sides of the wheels), or a rack to go over your rear wheel with a pack to mount on it. This is better than using a backpack: a backpack raises your center of gravity because all the weight is on your back, and makes you feel even more hot & sweaty during a hot summer ride. Your local bike shop will also have trailers, which cost more than panniers but can carry more stuff.

Regarding what to bring, take a look at this Q&A on the FAQ Page: What should I bring on my bike ride?
There's a list for day trips, and also a couple of good links for what to bring on multi-day trips.

Four days is pretty fast. Hartsburg is very iffy for accommodations. You might look at the tour link on this site or www.independenttourist.com We arrange self-guided cycling tours and have a 5 day end-to-end tour with overnight in Clinton, Sedalia, Rocheport, Jefferson City, Hermann, and Augusta. You might get some ideas for your trip planning. Happy Trails

I rode from Clinton to Hermann in 3 1/2 days in April. Most of the motels in Booneville are off the trail and not easy to get to. The closest to the trail is the Homestead Motel on Hiway 5, phone 660 882-6568. Hartsburg has a nice B&B, the Globe Hotel, 673 657-4529. I did not stay in either place, but they were both highly recommended to me by other trail users.

I just finished a 3 1/2 day ride from Clinton - St. Charles, if I had it to do over I would take more time. Anyway, I stayed at the Hermann Motel in Hermann, MO across the river from McKittrick. It was very clean and the town was very nice, I would stay there again myself. Their website is www.hermannmotel.com. Hermanns Bicycle Shop provides shuttle service into town so you won't have to ride across the bridge. Their phone number is (573) 486-9170. If I can be of any help feel free to contact me at brian.r.beaton@cox.net.

We stayed at the Riverview Suites in Boonville-highly, highly recommended! In fact it was the best place (by far) and we spent five nights on the trail (Sedalia, Boonville, Hartsburg, Bluffton and Dutzow). We stayed in Suite B: the cost was $125 for a three rooms including a kitchen, washer-dryer and nice patio that overlooks the Missouri. The price included breakfast. The Riverview is located next to the bridge that you'll use to bike across the river. Tastefully furnished, comfortable bed-god, we hated to leave!! If we ever bike the Katy again, we'll use it as a base camp. As for going in August-ugh. We did the trail in early June and it felt sub-tropical. Our advice: wait until the fall.

I am considering doing Clinton to St. Charles over a few days and had a few questions that I hope you might be able to help with. First, you mentioned that 3 1/2 days was too short. Did you feel like you did not have enough time to
enjoy the experience, or too much time riding each day? How did you get back to Clinton? Did you do it solo?

I am really in the preliminary stages of planning this, but would likely do it in August or September on my mountain bike (with semi-slicks). Actually, looking at the map, I was thinking about doing it in three days, but after reading everyone's posts, I am starting to think that is aggressive and will drain enjoyment from the trip. Or maybe I should start in Sedalia and try that in three days? Any suggestions would be welcomed.

My brother and I just completed the trail from St. Charles to Clinton in four days, and I think a fifth day would have been good. We had one 75 mile day that forced us to not linger too long anywhere, and we didn't get to our destination until 6:30, which was a little later than I would have liked for exploring the town (Hartsburg). The next day was 50 miles and we got to town at 3:00, which was much more relaxing. We also camped the entire way, and I would whole-heartedly recommend Pilot Grove, Hartsburg, and Marthasville for camping, in spite of what other people have said on this site. We stayed in all three towns with a minimum of difficulty getting permission, and didn't pay a penny to camp. We paid $3 to swim in Pilot Grove, and $5 for a shower in Marthasville. Hartsburg didn't have a public shower, but we were able to get a sink bath in the park.

A place that you may consider staying instead of McKittrick is Starkenburg. Starkenburg is right before you get to Rhineland. The turn for Starkenburg is about 5 miles before McKittrick. There is a great B & B there called Les Lavandes. The website is www.leslavandesbandb.com. The B and B is located 2 miles off of the trail. I think that they will pick you up if you would like for them to, but you can get there by bike. It is a pretty hilly ride though but doable.

We were looking for Food and Camping. We did not find a diner
But they had good Ice Cream at Choo Choo's on the West end of town.
The town constable stopped to chat with us. He is an Amatuer Radio Operator and gave us the Freq. of the local 2M repeater. (Washington)
147.240 and told us to holler if we needed anything. The young lady running Choo Choo's was fantastic to deal with. Camping was very primative but very reasonable. We would have loved a meal. Maybe Choo Choo's could sell sandwiches too. We will be stopping here on our next trip. A note: Like many of the stops on our trip Choo Choo's doesn't take credit cards and ATM's are few and far between so take cash. Read a full account of our Illinois to Kansas Ride at http://www.techkc.com/TrainingTimes/July%202005/tttjuly1.htm including pictures of Choo Choo's

We were looking for Food and Camping. We did not find a diner
But they had good Ice Cream at Choo Choo's on the West end of town.
The town constable stopped to chat with us. He is an Amatuer Radio Operator and gave us the Freq. of the local 2M repeater. (Washington)
147.240 and told us to holler if we needed anything. The young lady running Choo Choo's was fantastic to deal with. Camping was very primative but very reasonable. We would have loved a meal. Maybe Choo Choo's could sell sandwiches too. We will be stopping here on our next trip. A note: Like many of the stops on our trip Choo Choo's doesn't take credit cards and ATM's are few and far between so take cash. Read a full account of our Illinois to Kansas Ride at http://www.techkc.com/TrainingTimes/July%202005/tttjuly1.htm including pictures of Choo Choo's

Which way does the Missouri River flow? I want to know the direction so that I won't be pedaling uphill the entire way. Also, if you were limited on miles to ride, which would be your 100 or so miles of choice?

The river flows to the east into the Mississippi. The trail is pretty well flat, so either way should be fine for you

What is the best way to get from Clinton to either Warrensburg or Sedalia? I'd like to hike west from St. Charles to Clinton, and then take Amtrak back to the St. Louis area.

You mean HIKING from Clinton to Warrensburg/Sedalia? Here's an earlier discussion of how to get from Warrensburg to Clinton - you could just reverse the directions. Although this was written about cycling, I assume that many of the same concepts probably apply for hiking. As for Sedalia, the Katy Trail is the most direct route from Clinton; I'd just backtrack along the trail.

For those parking at either the Sedalia trailheads, I recommend the State Fair Grounds Trailhead. The old Depot is nice but a bit out of the way and not many people around------just a heads up.

We arrived at the Calhoun trailhead about noon on a Sunday: no services except for water at the trailhead. We headed back to Windsor for lunch. Very disappointed that there were no services open on a Sunday.

My brother and I are planning to ride the trail from West to East next week. I was reading through the other comments, and I saw somebody mention signs that encourage cyclists to keep moving. Can I assume that there are no opportunities for offtrail commando camping?



Also, we are renting a car in K.C. and returning it at the St. Louis airport. Can someone suggest a good rout from the airport to Creve Coeur Park?

Commando camping is strictly prohibited, in fact you'll see many signs directing you to stay within the state park property, which extends just a few feet past the edges of the trail. Also, a few of the landowners along the trail still haven't quite warmed up to the idea of spandex-clad cyclists using what they consider their property. Really just a few have a bad attitude, but you wouldn't want to pitch your tent in one of their fields. If we're respectful of their property, they'll eventually grow to like us. City parks in many small towns allow camping: here's a camping listMy best suggestion for airport to Creve Coeur Park & Katy (this will make sense if you look at this map): the airport sits north of I-70, but you need to get south of I-70. There is an underpass near the main (west-most) terminal which will get you south of 70 (exit 236 on map). But like any airport, Lambert Field is a jumble of roadways so it may take a little hunting to get there. Once you get to the south side of 70, follow the outer road to Woodson Road, which heads directly south (see map). Head south on Woodson for about two miles, and you'll hit Midland Blvd. Here you have connected into the Katy Trail-to-downtown St Louis route listed here. Take a sharp right (west) on Midland. Midland becomes Dorsett and after about 7 miles (rough guess), it ends at the SE corner of Creve Coeur Park, at Marine Drive. Go north on Marine until you see the lake, follow the south perimeter of the lake and you can get to the Katy Trail connector. Here are details on the Creve Coeur-Katy Trail connector. It's about 15 miles from the airport to the Katy Trail using this route. It's mostly suburban residential and not especially scenic until you hit the park.

Thanks for the directions from the airport. We plan to camp in towns if at all possible, but I want to be prepared for any situation. There are also some areas of the countryside that I am familiar with and want to explore (public property). The fact that I am on a bike shouldn't preclude me from being able to do that, so I just wanted more information about the signs, and if they were threatening.

Trail Rider - Unless much has changed since my brothers and my trip end-to-end, it is in the eastern part of the trail where one will see signs of the variety that you are speaking of. We saw one and maybe two the whole trail....be advised those people are extremely serious and it is private land (theirs), that backs up to the trail on the north side. Incidents are as rare as haute cuisine in a hobo camp, but the land owners in that one section are serious. Thumbnail and oversimplified history...originally when/if the KATY RR went under the land was to revert to owners adjacent to the trail (right of eminent domain being what it it). Well, obiviously we (cyclers & hikers) have a RailTrail and I like that, agree with it, and I have to respect the landowners feelings and thoughts and "move along" that short portion of the trail. Ninety per cent of the trail has awesome people who have no problem, or welcome those who use the trail. Regards........Mark of the Dalton Boys

Dalton boys,



Exactly what milemarkers or part of the trail are we talking about? What is the closest town? I am planing to walk the trail sometime next year (fingers crossed)and am curious what land owners have a problem with trail-users. I intend to camp or stay in B&Bs each night, but let's face it, sometimes you have to walk a few feet off the trail for various reasons, and I don't want to cause anyone any problems. Do you remember where?

We're talking from an area roughly from just east of Steedman to Treloar. Its only about a mile stretch, the sign is plainly visible and says to "keep moving" and I will proffer my apologies for not remembering exactly where, but again, the sign is visible and not an "Aggie" engineered sign, rather professionally done actually. Its just that section of the entire trail, and no other part of the trail is involved in this specific regard. Regards....Mark of the Dalton Boys

Well, our trip went off very well. We rode from the St. Louis airport at 2:30. The short (12 mile) ride from the airport to the trail head was one of my worst road riding experiences. St. Louis drivers are very aggressive towards cyclists. I'm glad I don't have to ride there on a regular basis. We stopped in Marthasville ~7:30pm, and were able to get cold beer at the baseball stadium because they were having little league games. We showered for $5, and prepared our own meals. We set up camp across the street from the ball fields next to the cabin. The next day was our long day, 78 miles, and we stopped in Hartsburg, where we stayed the night in Volunteer park, again preparing our own meals. People were super friendly here. The next day, we stopped in Pilot Grove, anoher great place. We ate at Jon El's BBQ. It's really good food. We swam in the town pool, and stayed in the city park. We finished the ride the next day, heading into a stiff headwind most of the way. My favorite part of the trail was between Boonville and Clinton. My least favorite is a tossup between Rocheport to Franklin, and Sedalia to Clinton. Both were tough sections. We didn't see many through riders, and rarely saw anyone riding East to West, but all in all it was a great time. Thanks to this Web site for the food and water listings. It helped a lot. We were each drinking about 2 bottles every 10 miles, so we had to refill often. The trail heads got better the further West we rode.

I rode the Katy in 2001 from Sedalia to St Charles. I am planning another trip this year, but not sure if it makes a difference riding west from St Charles to Sedalia/Clinton or riding east from Clinton/Sedalia to St Charles. I had read somewhere once that the eastbound was more downhill, especially along the river.

A 3 to 5% grade doesn't really make much of a difference but if you go east to west you stand a greater chance of going into a head wind.

It may not seem like it, but a 3 to 5% grade is HUGE. A 4% grade over the length of the trail from Boonville to St. Charles (152.3 miles) would be a change in elevation of over 32,000 feet. This is taller than Mt. Everest! In reality, the KATY trail only loses a net 150 feet over this distance. This is an imperceptible average grade of less than 0.02%. Indeed, the prevailing west-to-east winds make the downstream journey generally the easier one.

There is an old covered pavilion with a picnic table and boat ramp right on the river between mile markers 88 & 87. The Katy trail crosses a paved road and you just need to go about 30 yards down the paved road to get to the pavilion. Great spot for a break.

What's going on with Thornhill Winery in Hartsburg? Info on this site says it is temporarily closed. I can't find any more info on the web. Does anybody have details? Thanks.

Don't have firsthand info, other than, yes, it is still temporarily closed as of week of June 1. The scuttlebutt from a local innkeeper was that "one of these days they'll get [their lives straightened out] and it will reopen". Stay tuned.

I'm afraid it is closed, for good. I just rode to Hartburg yesterday and looked around town... it is closed with a "for sale" sign out front. I wish someone would reopen it! It was a fun place for a few years with music/small bands and decent enough wine and snacks. Hopefully someone will take it back over.

We stayed in Hartsburg on 6/21. The info we got from a local resident was that Thornhill was closed due to a divorce. Apparently, one spouse got the vineyards and the other got the building. We relaxed on the deck for awhile. It was kind of strange, everything is there, it looks like they locked the door one night and never came back. Hopefully, it will find a new owner and open again someday!

The locals told us that the divorcees are separately selling the winery from the vinyards. There may be a contract on at least one. Currently the grapes are being sold to Stone Hill.

Looking for a good restaurant in/near Augusta to celebrate our anniversary.

Looking for a good restaurant in/near Augusta to celebrate our anniversary.

I ate lunch at Ashley's Rose Restaurant in Augusta back in 2000 while on a solo bike ride. It was very nice. Hopefully some one else with more recent experience will chime in! Happy Anniversary!

I ate lunch at Ashley's Rose Restaurant in Augusta back in 2000 while on a solo bike ride. It was very nice. Hopefully some one else with more recent experience will chime in! Happy Anniversary!

We ate at Ashley Rose last week and it was fabulous. Warning: this is the only restaurant open on weekdays in Augusta and it closes at 7:00pm. We almost went hungry.

We ate at Ashley Rose last week and it was fabulous. Warning: this is the only restaurant open on weekdays in Augusta and it closes at 7:00pm. We almost went hungry.

Hey can anyone tell me how much the shuttle costs if you take it from St. Charles to Clinton? Do you recommend the shuttle? I'm 21 and in decent shape, how long should I allow for the trip?

We stayed with Eldon and Maggie for a night on our trip and had a great time at the Meyers Hilltop. The ride up the driveway was a great workout too! Need to do it a few times AFTER breakfast tho! Be sure to try Maggie's wonderful Oatmeal Pancakes!



Being from Fort Lauderdale, we are used to drivers trying to kill us but I would NOT want to cross the bridge into Hermann without a BIG group of cyclist or a van behind. So: Eldon and Maggie graciously offered to drive us to town. It is a nice town with good stores, a bakery, wineries, and restaurants. We ate at the Stone Hill Winery, wayyy up the hill. After tasting, we bought some very nice wines then headed to the restaurant. While the service was good, the food was nothing special.

We stayed with Eldon and Maggie for a night on our trip and had a great time at the Meyers Hilltop. The ride up the driveway was a great workout too! Need to do it a few times AFTER breakfast tho! Be sure to try Maggie's wonderful Oatmeal Pancakes!



Being from Fort Lauderdale, we are used to drivers trying to kill us but I would NOT want to cross the bridge into Hermann without a BIG group of cyclist or a van behind. So: Eldon and Maggie graciously offered to drive us to town. It is a nice town with good stores, a bakery, wineries, and restaurants. We ate at the Stone Hill Winery, wayyy up the hill. After tasting, we bought some very nice wines then headed to the restaurant. While the service was good, the food was nothing special.

Maggie and Eldon are the best. Gracious hosts, very accommodating.

Maggie and Eldon are the best. Gracious hosts, very accommodating.

I see in all of the missives a wider array of people doing the KATY. I am so tickled as I believe that the KATY, being a young trail, is starting to experience its full potential. When I read of folks from Colorado going to the KATY, it speaks volumes to me. Just in three years it appears that the "cottage industries" supporting the KATY are becoming more in numbers, and more "Ma & Pa" type facilities which are in my opinion more "homey". The representative for the trail who is part of the MO DNR confirms that right of way acquisitions in order for the KATY to go to the Kansas border are ongoing, and the ultimate goal of the KATY. The "Cowboy RailTrail" in Nebraska when completed will reputedly be then the longest railtrail in the country, so here's hoping that when completed at the Kansas border the KATY remain, as it is now, the longest RailTrail in the land. Enjoy the voyage folks cause we're all on the same bus and no one gets out alive so keep on experiencing!!! Regards Mark, Bill, & Rich Dalton all formerly of Columbia, MO.

My wife and I just wanted to give credit to some unsung heroes. We want to tell the webmaster and all those responsible for the BikeKatyTrail.com website how much we appreciated the site and how helpful it was in planning our trip.

THANKS!!!!

Thanks for the compliment Doug! I'm glad to hear that BikeKatyTrail has been helpful to you. And I appreciate you "giving back" by sharing some of your insights and experiences here in the comments section - now other website visitors can benefit from your experience.

I need directions to the Comfort Inn in Boonville from the Katy Trail. Thanks.

I need directions to the Comfort Inn in Boonville from the Katy Trail. Thanks.

The Comfort Inn is about a mile east of the Katy...just north of I-70 and a few miles south of Booneville.



If you are riding east to west on the Katy, after you pass the depot in Booneville you will pass through a long stretch of residential district, up a grade for quite a ways and through a small tunnel under a roadway. It's probably 4-5 miles from the depot to the Comfort Inn.



There is a clearing on your left side near mile post #194. A trail through the clearing leads to the Fuqua Homes manufacturing plant. Somewhat confusing there......but, ride through their parking lot toward the south and onto the blacktop road....it will lead you to the Comfort Inn (about a mile) which will be on your right with a truckstop on your left.



We have found the Comfort Inn staff to be very friendly and accomodating. No problem taking your bikes to your room or leaving your car in their parking lot for a few days while you are on the trail.



Enjoy your trip!

The Comfort Inn is about a mile east of the Katy...just north of I-70 and a few miles south of Booneville.



If you are riding east to west on the Katy, after you pass the depot in Booneville you will pass through a long stretch of residential district, up a grade for quite a ways and through a small tunnel under a roadway. It's probably 4-5 miles from the depot to the Comfort Inn.



There is a clearing on your left side near mile post #194. A trail through the clearing leads to the Fuqua Homes manufacturing plant. Somewhat confusing there......but, ride through their parking lot toward the south and onto the blacktop road....it will lead you to the Comfort Inn (about a mile) which will be on your right with a truckstop on your left.



We have found the Comfort Inn staff to be very friendly and accomodating. No problem taking your bikes to your room or leaving your car in their parking lot for a few days while you are on the trail.



Enjoy your trip!

I see lots of info on what to bring and where to stay/eat. Anybody have any info on particularly scenic or interesting segments of the tail between St. Charles and Hermann? We especially enjoy trees , scenic overlooks, historic sites...? Any place we shouldn't miss?

If you're looking for trees, probably the most heavily wooded section of the trail between St Charles & Hermann is just east of the Weldon Spring trailhead. Nice views of the river too, and a nature walk trail at mile 53.5.

There are no scenic overlooks - where there are bluffs along the Katy Trail, the trail runs along the *bottom* of the bluff. But if you want a nice view from high up, ride up and across the Page Avenue Bridge at mile 42.8 in St Charles. Nice bridge, great river view.

For historic sites, here's a general list of "points of interest". Within this list you'll find historic sites and similar places.

Between Matson and Augusta is the new Klondike Park. Take a hike up the hill behind the warden office for a wonderful view of the MO River and the river valley. (The hill will take some effort).

For the best view we saw on the entire 200 mile trip, be sure to hit the A Frame Wine Garden at the top of the bluffs at Les Bourgeois Winery! It is a somewhat steep hike from the Katy Trail just east of Rocheport. It is marked and even has a bike rack. The view of the Missouri was AMAZING and the food great! It is more like a picnic place so you could even take your own food and get some of their wines but their "picnic for two " at $7 was a bargain.

As I recall there is sign posted at the A-frame stating that food and drink brought in is NOT allowed.....so I wouldn't count on bringing your picnic basket!



It is a very beautiful view from the A-frame and from the restaurant. And very good food at the restaurant....you just can't beat the seafood pasta for lunch at around 10 bucks.



We enjoy looking waaaayyyyy to the west from the deck at the A-frame to the water tower at Booneville....it's a good vantage point to see how far you've just ridden.



From your posts, you had a good ride....thanks for sharing your insight with the rest of us....and come back sometime.....that view is even better in the Fall!



See ya on the trail!

We had a GREAT ride!

Before I posted about taking your own food I called the A Frame and asked if it was OK to post what I did. They were fine with me saying you could bring food just not your own drinks.