Rocheport Tunnel on the Katy Trail: History and Visiting

The Rocheport Tunnel is a stone-arched railroad tunnel just west of Rocheport, and it is the only tunnel on the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) line. Missouri State Parks gives its length as 243 feet and says it is open to people on the Katy Trail. Here is what is known about it, how it got there and what to know before you ride or walk through.

How long is the Rocheport Tunnel?

It is 243 feet long, according to Missouri State Parks, which describes it as stone-arched and open to trail users. That is about 81 yards, a little shorter than a football field.

When was the Rocheport Tunnel built, and why?

State Parks says the only tunnel on the MKT line “was built at Rocheport around 1893.” The history entry on Clio, the online guide to historical sites, puts construction at 1892 to 1893 and says it was finished in March 1893.

According to Clio, it was not an MKT project at first. The Missouri, Kansas & Eastern Railroad, organized by a group of St. Louis businessmen, built it through the river bluff to connect with the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad at New Franklin. In 1896 the line took the MK&T name, and the tunnel became known as the Katy Tunnel.

Clio, which cites Jane N. Smith’s 2025 local history Life and Death in Rocheport, Missouri, adds that the first contractor had expected solid rock but drilling turned up dirt, a dispute followed, and a second contractor finished the job with about 140 men.

How did a railroad tunnel become part of the Katy Trail?

Missouri State Parks says the Katy Trail is built on the corridor of the former MKT, better known as the Katy. Rail service on the route ended in 1986, work on the trail began in 1987, and “the first section of trail at Rocheport was opened in 1990.” Katy Trail State Park officially opened April 28, 1990. For how that first stretch came about, read The Gift That Started at Rocheport.

The state’s trail history page singles out the tunnel: “the stone railroad tunnel at Rocheport recalls the ingenuity required to complete the MKT rail line.”

Where is the Rocheport Tunnel and how do I get to it?

The tunnel sits on the Katy Trail just west of Rocheport. The town’s trailhead is at mile marker 178.3, according to the state’s Rocheport Trailhead page, so start there and head toward Boonville. Our guides cover where to park and how to shuttle and the full Katy Trail at Rocheport ride.

Using the state’s mile markers, Boonville’s trailhead (191.8) is about 13.5 miles west of Rocheport’s, and McBaine (169.5) is about 9 miles east. Our Rocheport to Boonville story covers the western ride.

Is the Rocheport Tunnel lit, and what should I bring?

The state’s pages do not say whether the tunnel has lights, and we could not confirm it, so bring a bike light or a phone flashlight to be safe. State Parks also recommends helmets for cyclists, warns riders to watch for falling rocks near bluffs, and says the trail is open sunrise to sunset only.

What is near the tunnel?

The trailhead is a short ride from Rocheport’s shops and food. Meriwether Cafe and Bike Shop at 700 First Street rents bikes, according to State Parks. For more to see on foot, try the free Rocheport Heritage Trail on your phone, or browse our visitor guide to Rocheport.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the only tunnel on the Katy Trail?

State Parks calls it the only tunnel on the MKT line, and Clio says the same about the trail.

Can I ride a bike through it?

State Parks lists the tunnel as open to trail users. Electrically assisted bicycles with a top speed of 20 mph are allowed on the trail; gas-powered vehicles are not.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, on a leash. State Parks requires that all pets be leashed.

Is the tunnel ever closed?

It has been. KOMU reported a maintenance closure that sent riders around it. Check the state’s trail conditions page before you go.

Are the restrooms open in winter?

At Rocheport, yes. State Parks says the Rocheport restroom will stay open from Nov. 1 through March 31, but the water fountain will be turned off. See what closes near Rocheport this winter.