Hiking, Biking & Beaches

The Katy Trail & Missouri's rail-trails

Old railroad lines turned into long, flat paths — the easiest big rides in the state, and a few of the most scenic. Here's the Katy, its sister the Rock Island, and the greenways worth knowing, with what to expect before you go.

Start here

The Katy Trail is about 240 miles long — the longest developed rail-trail in the country — running from Clinton to Machens through Jefferson City on flat crushed limestone. It has around 26 trailheads and four restored depots, is mostly wheelchair-accessible, and is part of the Lewis & Clark and American Discovery trails and the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame. Much of its route follows the Missouri River beneath the bluffs, crossing many old railroad bridges and trestles.

E-bikes and horses on the Katy

Electric-assist bikes are allowed up to 20 mph, and horses are permitted on two sections (roughly Clinton–Sedalia and Tebbetts–Portland).

E-bike access is the fastest-changing rule on Missouri trails — see the e-bikes page for the classes and where each one is allowed.

The Katy's sister line

The Rock Island Trail

The Rock Island Trail is the Katy's sister line. Its open section runs about 47.5 miles between Windsor — where it meets the Katy — and Pleasant Hill, toward Kansas City. The undeveloped corridor east of Windsor toward Beaufort is closed to public use until it's developed. When it's complete, the Katy and Rock Island together are envisioned as a nearly 450-mile connected loop.

Other rail-trails & greenways

Other rail-trails and greenways are worth knowing, too: Columbia's MKT, the Great Rivers Greenway around St. Louis, and MetroGreen in Kansas City.

Riding tips

Riding tips: it's flat but long, so book lodging ahead on a multi-day ride; the crushed-limestone surface softens after heavy rain; and the mile markers count down from Clinton.

Before you go

Official sources and current guidance

The agency that runs the trail or beach sets the local rules.

Last checked: 2026-06-18. Trail rules, e-bike access, and beach conditions change with the season and the manager — and out here, no one is watching out for you. Check before you go, carry water, and watch the kids.

This is a summary — not the law, a medical authority, or a guarantee of safety. Trail rules, e-bike access, and beach conditions change — check the managing agency before you go. In an emergency, call 911.

Heads up: Mileages, trailhead counts, and which sections are open shift as the trails grow — check Katy Trail State Park and Rock Island Trail State Park before a long ride. The undeveloped Rock Island corridor east of Windsor is closed until it's built out.

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