Starting Our Katy Trail Adventure: Rocheport, Missouri

Charmaine Warren
Jul 5, 2015
3 min read

Updated: Apr 25

When Kevin and I heard about his Uncle Doug biking the entire 240-mile Katy Trail solo, we thought, "Hey, why not give it a shot ourselves?" But instead of going all out at once, we took Uncle Doug’s advice and decided to break it up into manageable chunks. He recommended starting in Rocheport, MO — and honestly, it turned out to be a perfect launch point for our adventure.

A bridge leads into dense green trees, over a river. It's a sunny day, with a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

Below you'll find a casual guide to biking from Rocheport to Boonville, packed with some fun stops, real-life mishaps, and a few lessons learned the hard way (you’re welcome).

Rocky tunnel with textured walls surrounded by greenery. Sunlit path visible through the tunnel. Moody and serene atmosphere. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

Rocheport and Boonville: Small Town Charm Meets Big Adventure

We kicked things off during the 4th of July weekend by staying at Briggs Pond, a cute little Bed & Breakfast we found through Trip Advisor. The place was peaceful and low-key — vegetarian menu, no frilly decor — and we loved the simple, quiet vibe.

A cozy bedroom with a purple-patterned bedspread, geometric pillows, and two lamps. Plants by a window add greenery. Rug covers tiled floor. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

Quick side note: we love staying at B&Bs, but let's be real — some can feel a little... haunted. (Not this one though, thankfully.)

Walking Tour... Kind of

We tried to do a walking tour of Boonville... but after realizing a lot of the stops were just private homes of people we didn’t know (and weren’t about to knock on the door), we bailed and made a beeline for the real sights — like the cool old Katy Trail Bridge. Priorities, right?

Steel bridge over a wide, calm river with trees on both banks under a clear sky. A serene and peaceful setting. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

After wandering, we did a short "warm-up" bike ride — about 7 miles. And yes, we were still smiling afterward, looking all fresh and energetic. (Spoiler alert: that wouldn’t last.)

Dinner, Breakfast, and Hitting the Trail

We had dinner at Abigail’s in Rocheport — a cute spot with great reviews (thank you, Trip Advisor). The next morning, after a simple vegetarian breakfast (shoutout to Daria, the owner, for tossing me some extra bananas), we hit the Katy Trail for real.

Charcuterie board with sesame crackers, cured meats, sliced sausage, mustard, cornichons, and radishes on a wooden board. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

Right out of Rocheport, we saw all kinds of cool things — a cave used for dynamite storage (you know, casual trail scenery), and an old MKT sign still hanging on. Of course, we stopped every two seconds for pictures because how could you not?

Rock face with "MKT" text and arrow pointing directions. Surrounded by green foliage and tree roots. Natural, rugged setting. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

By lunchtime, we’d made it 12 miles and were feeling it. Like, seriously feeling it.

Unexpected Gems and Questionable Decisions

Somewhere along the way, we stumbled onto Cooper’s Landing — a riverside spot we hadn’t even planned to visit. They had cold water, Thai food (!!), and tables by the river. It was exactly what we needed to not die in the Missouri heat.

Bicycles parked near a riverside with trees and a clear blue sky. A "No Dogs" sign is visible. Relaxing outdoor atmosphere. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

Plate of noodles with peanuts next to chicken skewers, rice, cucumber, and sauce. Two Dasani water bottles in the background on a table. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

Re-energized (and a little delusional), I told Kevin, “Let’s go 10 more miles!"Bad idea. Very bad idea.

Two bicycles rest on a sunlit dirt path surrounded by lush greenery. A sign reading "Providence" is visible. Calm, sunny atmosphere. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

We pushed through Wilton (fancy bathrooms = toilet paper and running water, if you were wondering) and finally rolled into Hartsburg after 24.26 miles. Our legs hated us. Our butts hated us. Everything hated us.

Two bikes next to a "WILTON" sign along a wooded trail. Sunlight filters through lush green trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

But man, the sense of accomplishment was real.

Boonville Adventures: More Than Just a Bike Stop

If you have a little extra energy (or a rest day), Boonville is a fun town to explore.

Historic Main Street is full of shops, cafes, and that classic small-town Missouri feel.
Boonville Community Park is a lovely spot for a picnic or a slow walk if your legs still work after biking.

Two bicycles rest against a green "Boonville" sign with icons, surrounded by lush trees and grass. Sunlight filters through, creating a serene mood. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

The Rocheport–Boonville section of the Katy Trail is, hands down, one of the prettiest stretches — perfect for kicking off your Katy Trail journey.

Two bikes are parked beside a "Rocheport" sign amidst lush greenery, along a dirt path. The atmosphere is peaceful and natural. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

The Painful Ride Back... and Lessons Learned

After a much-needed water break and some stretching in Hartsburg, we still had to bike 25 miles back to Rocheport.No cute photos. No cute smiles. Just pure survival mode.

Bus stop in Rocheport, MO with wooden benches. Sign reads "Rail-Trail Hall of Fame". Car parked nearby; lush green trees surround area.

What We Learned (So You Don’t Suffer Like We Did):

Wear real cycling shorts. Your butt will thank you.
Bring ALL the water. Freeze bottles the night before if you can.
Don’t skip the sunscreen. Missouri summer is no joke.
Take breaks. You're not invincible (even if you just finished Insanity Max 30).
Have fun. Seriously. It’s not about smashing records — it's about the adventure.

A smiling couple takes a selfie on a sunny day, standing on a bridge with lush green trees in the background. The man wears a black cap. Katy Trail Rocheport, MO

That’s our start to biking the Katy Trail — sweaty, tired, but super happy. If you're thinking about it, do it! And maybe don’t add “ten more miles” on a whim.

TTYL! Happy Travels!