The KATY Trail
The Katy Trail State Park, one of the longest rails-to-trails conversions, travels across the State of Missouri from near St. Louis to Sedalia. You will travel over finely crushed white limestone gravel as you pass by wineries, shops, and quaint bed-and-breakfasts. Much of the trail follows the wide rolling Missouri River, "Big MO", oft times with ancient wind-swept bluffs bordering the trail. The trail is owned and maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources , and is designated as a State Park.
The present-day eastern end is located just west of the MO 370 bridge.
The plan is to eventually extend the trail to the Mississippi River Bridge at Alton, IL.
The trail is composed of fine limestone chat gravel, not recommended for road bikes.
In St. Charles, the trail travels through a tunnel by the Station St.Charles Casino before crossing under Interstate 70, then travels through Frontier City Park.
Further west on the trail, you emerge from a tunnel of trees and are treated to a spectacular view of bluffs and hills in the distance, across the flood plain of the Missouri River.
In Matson you encounter a small shed made up to look like a train station.
A helpful link for those planning to visit the KATY Trail can be found at: