Special Welcome to Katy Trail Users
What a biker wants - What a biker needs A MUST SEE for all Katy Trail Users
Plan a few extra minutes for a visit inside the full service Sedalia Katy Depot Trailhead -
• Located at Mile Marker #227 & like none other on the Trail.
• Secure extended parking available on Fifth Street Parking lot.
• Overnight storage of bicycles.
• Restrooms available year round (during business hours).
• Friendly, courteous, knowledgeable staff ready to answer questions, provide directions and share information on the Trail and on our community.
• Energy snacks - water fountain - ice cream treats
The Depot Gift Store is voted the best place on the Katy Trail to find that perfect gift or trail souvenirs. Shop on site or on line - jersies, tee shirts, caps, water bottles, socks, guide books, bandanas, patches, gloves, butt butter, tire patches, air pumps, mugs, postcards / stamps / mail drop. Shipping is available. We specialize in official Katy Trail merchandise and first aid kits for you and your bike.
One way of getting from point to point along the Katy Trail is to ride Amtrak train between St. Louis and Sedalia. "Roll on" bikes are allowed on the Missouri River Runner, making it easy for you (and your bike) to ride Amtrak to some point on the trail, and then pedal back from there. For example, St. Louis-based riders and their bikes can board Amtrak in Kirkwood, ride the train to Sedalia, and then pedal the Katy Trail back to St Charles or vise-versa.
The Sedalia Amtrak station is about 3/4 of a mile from the Katy Trail. From the train station, you'll head south on Ohio (750) about 1/4 mile to 3rd Street. Then head east on 3rd Street; after about 1/2 mile you'll see the Sedalia Katy Depot where you can get on the trail.
The Rock Island Line began in 1852 and eventually stretched across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The 47.5 mile rock Island Spur extends the Katy Trail State Park into the greater Kansas City area.
Missouri Katy Trail Helpful Links
Amtrak www.amtrak.com
Bike Katy Trail www.bikekatytrail.com
Missouri Katy Trail Visionary: Edward D. "Ted" Jones Jr.
As the son of the founder of Edward Jones, Edward D. "Ted" Jones Jr. spearheaded the St.Louis-based financial services firm's expansion from the 1950s through the 1980s by opening one-broker offices serving investors in small communities. All the while, Ted maintained his lifelong love of nature, living in rural Callaway County, Mo., with his wife, Pat.
Ted became interested in "rails-to-trails" projects after a bike ride on a converted Wisconsin railroad trail, and he began lobbying the Missouri legislature to use land abandoned by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad (known as the Katy) for a similar project. He and Pat donated $2.2 million to help purchase the rail corridor and turn it into the longest continuous hiking and bicycling trail in the country.
Ted and Pat were able to celebrate the results of their work when the Katy Trail State Park opened on April 28, 1990. Their proud moment came just six months before Ted passed away.
Since that time, Edward Jones has continued the growth Ted started while maintaining his down-to-earth values and commitment to community service. Today the firm serves investors from more than 11,000 branches throughout North America.
(Information taken from Katy Trail State Park Brochure)