BikeMO October 15th: Lodging and camping

BikeMO, the first annual ride for Missouri bicycle advocacy, is coming up October 15th, 2005.

If you're an early riser, it is possible to drive to Holt's Summit from most places in Missouri and arrive in time for the 9AM BikeMO start. It is about 2 hrs 45 minutes drive time from Kansas City to Holt's Summit or 2 hrs 30 minutes from St. Louis.

But for the non-early risers (count me in that group!), the adventurous, and those who might like to make a weekend of it--perhaps spending Sunday riding the Katy Trail?--here are some lodging options.

Below find:

• hotels/motels
• nearest campground
• camping and lodging on the Katy Trail
• other area campgrounds
• directions for bicycling from the Katy Trail to the BikeMO starting point

Hotels/Motels
Hotels in Jefferson City and Columbia.

Nearest campground
North Jefferson City Pavilion is about 6 miles from the BikeMO starting point. We have permission from Jefferson City Parks and Recreation for people to camp (for free!) at North Jefferson City Pavilion Friday night. The North Jefferson City Pavilion is at Hwy 54 & Route W close to the Katy Trail. It has bathrooms and running water but no showers. The picnic area has a concrete floor and a roof but no walls.

Pavilion details:

• Map showing how to find the Pavilion.
  
  
• Closeup satellite view of the pavilion here (shows the metal-roofed picnic area, 4th Street, and the spur trail that leads from the Pavilion north to the North Jefferson Katy Trailhead):
  
  
• It is possible to bicycle from the North Jefferson Pavilion or the nearby North Jefferson Katy Trailhead to the BikeMO starting point in Holts Summit (directions).

On the Katy Trail
Make a weekend of it on the Katy Trail. It is possible to bicycle from the locations listed below to the BikeMO starting point--but count on between 10 and 22 miles on the trail, depending on the exact location of your lodging, then another 6-7 miles from the N. Jefferson City trailhead to the BikeMO starting point.

• Globe Hotel/Volunteer Park
  P.O. Box 89
  Hartsburg, MO 65039
  573-657-4529
  On the Katy Trail (10 miles from N. Jefferson)
  This is a bed & breakfast with rooms available, but
  she can also arrange for camping in her sideyard
  or at nearby Volunteer Park
  
  
• Busch's Landing
  Hartsburg, MO 65039
  573-657-2609
  On the Katy Trail (10 miles from N. Jefferson)
  
  
• Hartsburg Inn
  25 South First Street
  Hartsburg, MO
  573-657-0071
  On the Katy Trail (10 miles from N. Jefferson)
  A bed and breakfast, but they can also arrange for
  camping--call for details
  
  
• American Legion Park
  Hartsburg, MO 65039
  573-636-9585, Jack Braustrom
  On the Katy Trail (10 miles from N. Jefferson)
  camping for groups, by reservation only, donation requested
  
  
• Turner Katy Trail Shelter Hostel (Tebbetts, Missouri)
  Tebbetts, MO
  800-575-2322 / 573-295-4289/573-496-398
  On the Katy Trail, 12 miles from N. Jefferson
  "hostel-style facility"
  
  
• Riverview Traders General Store
  18300 River Rd.
  Wilton, MO 65039
  573-657-1095
  On the Katy Trail, 14 miles from N. Jefferson
  "Sleep in a Native American tipi"
  http://www.bikekatytrail.com/site.asp?sid=153
  
  
• Cooper's Landing
  On the Katy Trail
  11505 S Easley River Rd
  COLUMBIA MO 65203-8901
  Camping available on the riverfront; they generally have music Friday evenings (great if you like music, drinking, conviviality; not so good if you'd prefer to sleep)
  On the Katy Trail, 19 miles from N. Jefferson
  573-657-2544
  Web site
  
  
• Katfish Katy's and Katy’s Little Lodge
  Huntsdale, MO
  573-447-3939 / 573-447-4109 fax
  On the Katy Trail, 19 miles from N. Jefferson
  Campground right on the riverfront; bed and breakfast in Huntsdale
  Web site

In general, for locating camping and lodging on or near the Katy Trail, the BikeKatyTrail web site is invaluable:

Other area campgrounds

• Hidden Oaks RV Park & Campground
  (573) 592-8834
  4855 Hidden Oaks
  Fulton, MO 65251
  
  
  
• Osage Campground & More
  10407 Marina Rd
  Jefferson City, MO 65101-8104
  (573) 395-4066
  
  
  
• MARI-OSA-DELTA RV PARK
  BOX 285 MARI OSA DELTA LN.
  JEFFERSON CITY MO 65101
  573-455-2452 573-455-2452
  orent@onemain.com

How to bicycle from the Katy Trailhead to Holts Summit Plaza
It's possible to bicycle from the North Jefferson Pavilion or the nearby North Jefferson Katy Trailhead to the BikeMo starting point in Holts Summit.

It is approximately a 6 or 7 mile ride from the North Jefferson City Pavilion to Holt's Summit Plaza.

From the North Jefferson Pavilions or the North Jefferson Trailhead, just take Hwy 54 north. Hwy 54 is a 4-lane divided with wide paved shoulders. At Holts Summit, take the first exit (Route AC/Summit Drive; see map).

Go left on AC, which takes you north initially, then veers northeast. Follow AC/Summit Drive all the way to Route OO. The intersection of Summit Drive/AC/Old Hwy 54 with Route OO is Holts Summit Plaza, where the ride will start (see map).