Howard County State Parks: Boone’s Lick and the Katy Trail

Howard County has one state historic site, Boone’s Lick, and a stretch of the Katy Trail that runs through New Franklin.

Boone’s Lick tells the story of the salt works that drew settlers up the Missouri River in the early 1800s. The Katy Trail gives riders and walkers a flat route along the river. The state pages we checked list no entry fee for either. This guide is one of five in our state parks series, which also covers Boone, Cooper and Callaway counties.

Boone’s Lick State Historic Site

Boone’s Lick State Historic Site is on Highway 187 at Boonesboro. In 1804, Lewis and Clark reported saltwater springs in what are now Howard, Cooper and Saline counties, where wildlife came to lick salt, and the largest was Boone’s Lick. In 1805 the Boone brothers partnered with James and Jesse Morrison to boil the brine in iron kettles; about 250 to 300 gallons of brine made one bushel of salt. William Becknell, a manager at the works, led the first successful trading expedition to Santa Fe in 1821. Commercial salt production ended in the 1830s. See the site’s page and its history page.

• Trail: A short, steep trail leads to the spring site, where wood remnants of the saltworks and an iron kettle are still visible. The state does not give its length.
• Picnicking: A picnic shelter near the Boone’s Lick Monument can be reserved for $25 per day. If it is not reserved, it is first come, first served.
• Camping and water: None listed. There is no lake or river access at the site.
• Hours and fees: The state page does not post hours or fees. Call the site office at 660-837-3330 before you go.
• Accessibility: The page links to a general accessibility page but gives no site details. The trail is described as steep.
• Directions: Google Maps.

Katy Trail State Park in Howard County

The Katy Trail is a 240-mile rail trail between Clinton and Machens, built on the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad corridor. The park’s page notes that the Cooper County to St. Charles County section is an official segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

• New Franklin trailhead, mile 188.2: parking, restroom and water at the trailhead. Katy Roundhouse Campground & RV Park, a private campground at 1893 Katy Drive, is nearby; call 660-848-2232. The town’s number is 660-848-2288.
• Primitive camping: The state’s trail services list shows Diana Bend Conservation Area at mile 181.5 and Davisdale Conservation Area at mile 182.2, both primitive camping.
• Hours: The trail is open sunrise to sunset. The state does not provide camping along the trail.
• Rules: Pedestrians, bicyclists and, in designated areas, horseback riders only. No gas-powered vehicles. Electric-assist bikes up to 20 mph are allowed. Pets must be leashed.
• Seasons: At trailheads with modern restrooms, water is shut off and restrooms close from roughly November through March. Portable toilets are put out in winter.
• Accessibility: The state says the majority of the trail is accessible to people with disabilities.
• Directions: New Franklin trailhead on Google Maps.

Which state parks are just outside Howard County?

• Arrow Rock State Historic Site, in the village of Arrow Rock, has the 1834 J. Huston Tavern, a museum and a visitor center.
• Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park, at Miami, preserves remnants of a Missouria village and an earthwork called Old Fort, and has an 18-acre fishing lake.

Free maps for your trip

• Missouri highway map: MoDOT says the official state highway map is available free of charge. Request one on that page or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT.
• Fishing and hunting booklets: The Missouri Department of Conservation lets Missouri residents request free print copies of its fishing and hunting regulation booklets.
• Park and trail maps: The Boone’s Lick page links a historic site map, and the Katy Trail page links the trail map.

Camping on Conservation Department land, including Diana Bend and Davisdale, will need a $5 permit starting in March 2027; see our story on the MDC camping permit. For parking and shuttle options, read parking and shuttles for a Katy Trail ride. Paddlers can follow the river past the same stretch in Glasgow to Franklin Island, and riders heading for Boonville can read about the Pedaler’s Jamboree.