The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook

by Brett Dufur

This guidebook covers the many distinctive towns along Missouri's 200-mile-long Katy Trail as it follows the Missouri River and passes through the world's 'breadbasket' of agriculture and Missouri's legendary wine country. This guidebook includes handy service information for each town, maps, photographs and features of some one-of-a-kind individuals you'll meet along the way. Whether you're biking the trail, hiking it, or travelling from town to town by car, this guidebook is the perfect resource for every traveller. Longer stories are also included for rainy-day armchair odysseys. If you've ever wondered which goddess adorns our capitol, or wanted to make blueberry wine, or pondered the many uses for Missouri mud, this book is for you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jonathan Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and enjoyable. Be warned that a good number of businesses referenced unfortunately went out of business or at least closed due to COVID-19. Try calling ahead if you are counting on something to be open.

[Todd Smith]

This guide gives you services, towns, peoples, places, and history along Missouri’s Katy Trail which is the longest rails-to-trail in the U.S.

Updated and revised from the previous editions.

It includes wineries, B&B’s, and camping along with photos and maps.

You can use this whether you are hiking or biking or even exploring sites along the trail by car.

Also, it includes maps, mileage charts, and services provided in each town.

I will definitely use this guide when I am on the trail. It also has mile markers for unique and historic sites along the trail.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding resource for those of us planning to soon cycle the length of the Katy Trail or for those either visiting the area by auto or armchair. Critical cycling information is included in one handy source. Lodging, restaurants, bike shops, town histories, along with points of interest along the 250+ mile trail are all covered in this guidebook. I consider it indispensable to me personally as a cycler on the Katy Trail. Thanks Mr. Dufur!!

[Dwight Pittenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of route planning/preparation for a bicycle tour of the Katy Trail next year with my wife. It is laid out in an easy to follow and useful way. This (10th) edition was published in 2013; I'm sure some things have changed but hopefully most of the guidebook's info is still valid.

[Kristen Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of the trail, what to expect when riding it, the towns, etc. I also loved learning about the history of the towns, the stories from long ago, the newspaper excerpts, etc. It was a great read. It does need to be updated as several restaurant and lodging accommodations had long since closed.

[Ardis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely guide to the Katy Trail with lots of history of the small towns one would travel through. This is a great guide because it includes lots of tips for planning a trip with sites to look for and lists for lodging and food.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from our local library to see if it was a source worthy of purchase. Most definitely! It is as up-to-date as possible with history notes and suggestions of places to see, people to meet, and things to do along the Katy.

[Becca S · Rating 4 out of 5]

While definitely outdated, it still has good basic information on the trail and fun facts about the area.

[Judith the Book Gobbler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing history of a part of MO and an insight to following a trail of fun and beauty. The illustrations were more than worth the price!

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable resource for those wanting to traverse the Katy Trail. I used Dafur’s book to plan my trip. Will update my review after my trip is complete.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book I've found on the Katy Trail. Will review it often for additional information

[Ken Hoffner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice guide to the Katy bike trail that runs across the state of Missouri.

[Leslie Wiewel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good 'in-hand' reference. But website is also a must to plan travels