Katy Trail Self-Guided Rides
The easiest way to enjoy the Katy Trail and the Rock Island Trail!
Looking for a self-guided tour in May?
May 18 - 23 is now available!
6 days riding, 5 nights lodging - breakfast included!
May is the best time to see migratory birds on the Katy Trail!
See below for more info. Use our Contact form or call us, 660-539-4700.
The most popular way to ride the Katy Trail and the Rock Island Trail is on a self-guided bike tour. We specialize in setting up customized self-guided bicycle tours for couples, singles and rider groups of all sizes. We talk you through the logistics of your ride, discuss transportation options (shuttle/Amtrak/vehicle transport), plus any other additional services you select on your Katy Trail or Rock Island Trail bike tour.
- Self-guided rides. Choose from available dates below. We arrange lodging and breakfast in our vetted boutique hotels and B&Bs. Rides start at $982 a person for double occupancy rooms. THE MOST AFFORDABLE SELF-GUIDED RIDE WITH LODGING, BREAKFAST AND SHUTTLE SERVICE ON THE TRAIL! Complete our Inquiry form on our Contact page or call us at 660-539-4700 and we’ll follow up with the best options for you and your group.
- Custom self-guided ride. You select the dates, the number of days you want to ride, and services needed. Complete our Inquiry form on our Contact page to begin your adventure. We will follow up with the best options for you and your group. We are happy to talk you through each mile of your ride.
Daily bag transfer is available. Click to see Itinerary and Ride Information.
2026 Katy Trail Self-Guided Ride Dates
Clinton to St. Charles/Machens
- May 4-9, Full
- May 11-16, Space Available (great time to see migratory birds in Missouri)
- May 18-23, Space Available (great time to see migratory birds in Missouri)
- May 25-30, Limited Availability
- June 1-6, Space Available
- June 15-20, Space Available
- September 14-19, Space Available
- September 26- October 1, Space Available
- September 28 – October 3, Full
- October 5-10, Full
- October 6-13, Full
- October 19-24, Limited Availability
- October 25-30, New for 2026, Fall Foliage Ride-This is a great time to see the leaves on the Katy Trail!
All dates available for $982 per person for double-occupancy, $400 additional if single-occupancy.
Need to build in a REST DAY, or do you want to ride at a quicker pace and RIDE FEWER DAYS? Let us know. We can customize! Complete our Inquiry form and we’ll follow up with the best options for you and your group!
The Rock Island Trail and Additional Options
Pleasant Hill to Windsor, and Beyond!
The Rock Island Trail
We can customize your ride to include the Rock Island Trail, and we can organize 6, 7, or 8 day trips. A popular option is our ride from Pleasant Hill to Columbia. Click here for more details.
We also offer DAILY BAG TRANSFER! Leave your bag at the hotel, and it will be waiting for you at your next stopover. $35 per day, per bag.
Contact us today and we will talk you through how to get the most out of your Katy Trail and Rock Island trail adventure. We’re also available by phone call or email. However you reach out, we’ll follow up with you personally to make sure we’re providing the best service and answering all your questions.
Phone: 417-372-9220
Email: katytrailtours@gmail.com
Katy Trail Self-Guided Bike Tour Itinerary
Active days, easy nights
Day 1. Clinton to Sedalia. 37.5 miles
Day 2. Sedalia to Rocheport. 48.8 miles
Day 3. Rocheport to Jefferson City. 35.1 miles
Day 4. Jefferson City to Hermann. 46.4 miles
Day 5. Hermann to Washington. 32.8 miles
Day 6. Washington to St. Charles. 37.5 miles
Above itinerary is for scheduled self-guided rides. We also develop custom group trips with different itineraries, and we can build in rest days. Call or complete our Inquiry form and we’ll follow up to learn more about your plans in order to provide you with the best trip possible.
Lodging. Our tours feature a curated mix of boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts that cater to cyclists and showcase the hospitality of middle Missouri. We work closely with local proprietors and choose only accommodations we’d enjoy staying in ourselves. In select locations, we may use a high-quality hotel to provide the best overall routing and comfort. All lodging is selected with comfort, cleanliness, and cyclist-friendly amenities in mind. Breakfast is included each morning.
Rock Island and Katy Trail Self-Guided Ride
Ride description: The ride starts near Kansas City in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and finishes in beautiful St. Charles, Missouri, near St. Louis. Riders complete 47 miles on the Rock Island Trail, join up with the Katy Trail in Windsor, and then ride the Katy Trail from Windsor to St. Charles, for a total of 269 miles of riding on crushed limestone rail trails. The trip consists of 6 nights of lodging and 7 days of riding, averaging 38 miles a day. Shuttle and daily breakfast is included.
We specialize in personalization, so this ride can be modified to start in Raytown or Lee’s Summit, which adds a day of riding, or it can be shortened to be completed in 6 days. We can also build in rest days. If you would like to include Clinton, Missouri, the western terminus of the Katy Trail, so that you can complete the entirety of the KT as well, we can accommodate that. Prices adjusted according to nights of lodging needed.
Lodging. Our tours feature a curated mix of boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts that cater to cyclists and showcase the hospitality of middle Missouri. We work closely with local proprietors and choose only accommodations we’d enjoy staying in ourselves. In select locations, we may use a high-quality hotel to provide the best overall routing and comfort. All lodging is selected with comfort, cleanliness, and cyclist-friendly amenities in mind. Breakfast is included each morning.
Rock Island Trail Trip Itinerary
Day 2. Windsor to Pilot Grove. 44.7 miles
Day 3. Pilot Grove to Rocheport. 25 miles
Day 4. Rocheport to Jefferson City 35.1 miles
Day 5. Jefferson City to Hermann. 46.4 miles
Day 6. Hermann to Washington 32.8 miles
Day 7 Washington to St. Charles. 37.5 miles
Optional Add-On Services/Costs:
Single room occupancy $480 for 7 day itinerary, $400 for 5 day
Additional night(s) lodging in St. Charles, Clinton, or Pleasant Hill-Price varies on location/day of week
Weekly bike rental ($270 for hybrids, $300 for gravel bike, $420 for e-bike)
Amtrak train ride instead of shuttle-explanation below
Shuttle vs. Amtrak: A shuttle ride is provided by us at no additional charge from St. Charles to Pleasant Hill; however some riders choose to utilize the Amtrak train for shuttle purposes with us providing transportation to and from the Amtrak stations to the trailhead. Call for details as how we can assist you with your shuttle/train needs. Logistics of shuttle/Amtrak change depending on whether you are coming into St. Charles or Pleasant Hill before your ride. We also provide car transport from Pleasant Hill to Lee’s Summit Amtrak. Call to discuss details 417-372-9220.
