The best traffic-free bike rides in Katy Trail State Park

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Known locally as “Devil’s Boot Cave,” this natural overhang carved in sandstone resembles the shape of a boot and stretches roughly 25 feet deep and wide, near Marthasville. Once used as a pioneer shelter and noted by local schools for nature trips, the site offers a little geological curiosity beside the trail—a hands-on reminder of Missouri’s limestone landscape and early frontier life. Great for a quick stop and photo op!

Shortly after turning onto Case Road, cyclists enter the 3,520-acre Daniel Boone Conservation Area — part of Missouri’s preserved forestland celebrated for wooded hills, glades, four fishable ponds, and trails that wind through rugged valleys and wildlife habitat, perfect for birding, nature photography, or stretching legs before the climb While the Katy Trail has been smooth and flat up to this point, once you turn onto Case Road and enter the conservation area, expect a steady climb that eventually reaches a challenging maximum grade of about 12% (you may want to walk your bike at this part) This ascent leads you up to the campground within the Conservation Area—so pace yourself, shift into a lower gear, and take short breaks if needed before reaching the ridge and the peaceful campsites above.

Hinkson Woods offers a leafy escape just off the MKT Trail. Enjoy 2 miles of mown multi-use paths winding through forest and open grasslands along Hinkson Creek. The trail links up with the university rec trail and provides easy access to nearby Grindstone Nature Area and MKT system—giving you plenty of options for loop rides.

Between mile markers 93.2 and 89.0, the Katy Trail offers some of its most breathtaking views of the Missouri River. This section features sweeping vistas of the river, dramatic limestone bluffs, and serene floodplain landscapes. The Missouri River, often called the "Big Muddy" due to its high silt content, is the longest river in North America, stretching over 2,300 miles from Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi River near St. Louis.

On June 6, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped on the starboard side of the Missouri River after a challenging day navigating strong currents and eroding banks. Earlier, they passed notable landmarks including Split Rock Creek and Saline Creek, the latter known for its salt springs. The day's journey was marked by the river rising a foot overnight and the crew's efforts to mend the barge's mast before setting out.

Between Rocheport and Huntsdale, the Katy Trail skirts the base of the majestic Manitou Bluffs—towering limestone cliffs shaped by the Missouri River's erosive power. These bluffs hold deep cultural significance, adorned with ancient Native American pictographs and burial mounds atop their heights. Early explorers, including Lewis and Clark, documented these sites in the early 1800s.

Just off the Katy Trail near McBaine stands the McBaine Bur Oak, affectionately known as the Burr Oak Big Tree. Estimated to be between 350 and 400 years old, this majestic tree boasts a trunk circumference of 287 inches, a height of approximately 90 feet, and a canopy spread of 130 feet. As the largest bur oak in Missouri, it shares the title of national champion with a counterpart in Kentucky. Situated about half a mile from the Missouri River, it's believed that the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed within sight of this enduring natural landmark. Accessible via a short detour from the trail, the tree offers a serene spot to pause and reflect amidst the beauty of the Missouri River floodplain.