The Katy is a point-to-point trail, and that's its best feature once the logistics click: take the train one way and ride back, or book a shuttle and ride the whole thing one direction.
Amtrak's Missouri River Runner runs between St. Louis and Kansas City, roughly tracking the trail corridor, and carries bicycles. Reserve a bike spot when you book and check the current schedule; service levels change. Four stations sit within riding distance of the trail.
| Station | Serves | Notes |
|---|
Schedules and bike reservations at amtrak.com.
A handful of operators along the trail run shuttles and rent bikes. Call ahead: most are small businesses with seasonal hours, and shuttle routes get arranged per trip.
| Operator | Base | Services | Contact |
|---|
Mile markers are the original railroad miles, increasing from east (Machens, mile 26.9) to west (Clinton, mile 264.6). Parking is free at all official trailheads.
| Trailhead | Mile | Water | Restroom | Notes |
|---|
Many riders go west to east, Clinton toward St. Charles: the grade trends imperceptibly downhill toward the river towns and summer winds often help. Cell coverage drops out in the bluff sections between McKittrick and Portland. Water is far apart on the western prairie miles, so top off in Sedalia and Windsor. And the limestone is kind to gravel and touring tires; 32mm and up is the comfortable zone.