The Rock Island Trail

how crowded is the trail?

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Marty and Joe from Los Gatos, California on 4/22/2005 12:49:46 AM:

We are planning to ride the trail starting on Memorial Day Weekend and through the first
week of June. Are we nuts? Will there be huge numbers of people on it, crowding the trail
like a "freeway"? Or can we realistically hope for some pleasant, quiet, unpeopled miles?
thanks much for your input,
Marty and Joe

Rick from New Franklin, MO on 4/22/2005 10:35:12 PM:

It will depend on when and where you decide to ride. During the week in my area (central Missouri) I have ridden for hours and seen no other trail users. On the weekends, even holiday weekends, I do not find the trail to be at all crowded where I usually ride.

I have been told that when you get closer to St. Charles there is more traffic on the trail but I have no personel knowledge of this, maybe someone from that area can advise us.

savage24 from KC, MO on 4/23/2005 6:10:15 AM:

I would not be at all concerned about crowded conditions on the trail. You will see more people near St Charles and possibly near Rocheport, but I would not really consider those areas crowded. The farther away from those trailheads you go the fewer people you will see. Be sure to stay informed about weather conditions; carry a radio or ask locals. My niece and I had to wait out a severe thunderstorm with hail and tornado warnings before we could ride on Sunday of Mem. Day weekend 2004. We rode about 10 miles in the late afternoon around McKittrick & Rhineland and saw about 3 people.

Nails on 4/23/2005 7:24:26 PM:

I have ridden every mile of the trail. Most of the trail is lightly used. In particular, Between Jefferson City and Augusta, there have been times when it has been over an hour between seeing other users of the trail. However, within 10 miles of St. Charles, it can become quite crowded. Just take your time, give wide berth/friendly passing words, and be polite. You'll get there with little delay and may just make a new friend.

Paul Knoblock from Florissant, MO on 4/24/2005 10:36:23 AM:

I rode the Katy Trail from St. Charles to Defiance last Memorial DAY and did not find it crowded. You will encounter more people between Page Avenue Extension access and St. Charles. But it is never too crowded in that stretch. The Katy Trail is fantastic! I have only ridden it to Portland and look forward to taking it all the way to Clinton. Happy riding!

Ray (webmaster) on 4/25/2005 6:42:07 AM:

People have posted some great replies to this question. The only suggestion I can add, is to be sure you make your lodging reservations in advance. The B&Bs/hotels/campgrounds tend to fill up on summer weekends.

kimncolumbia from Columbia on 5/3/2005 8:27:41 PM:

Around the popular trailheads you will have some people, but it won't be crowded. I ride

the trail with my friend from California and he is always amazed at how unpopulated it is.

I often hear, "Where are all the people? If this was California it would be bike to bike

traffic." Have fun on the Katy.

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