Callaway County State Parks: Katy Trail Tebbetts to Portland

Callaway County’s one state park unit is the Katy Trail, with trailheads at Tebbetts, Mokane and Portland, all free to use.

We found no state park or state historic site in Callaway County other than the trail, when we checked the state’s list and the county column of Wikipedia’s list of Missouri state parks. The state pages we read list no trail fee. This guide is one of five in our state parks series, which also covers Boone, Howard and Cooper counties.

Katy Trail State Park in Callaway County

The Katy Trail is a 240-mile rail trail between Clinton and Machens, built on the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad corridor, and most of it follows the Missouri River. The park’s page counts 26 trailheads and four restored depots along the way. Callaway County trailheads, from west to east:

• Tebbetts, mile 131.2: parking and restrooms at the trailhead. The Turner Katy Trail Shelter and Hostel, 5551 County Road 4011 (573-634-2322), offers restrooms, showers, bunk beds, air conditioning, a refrigerator and a microwave; bring your own bedding. Directions on Google Maps.
• Mokane, mile 125: parking and restrooms at the trailhead. Amvets Post 153, 306 Broad St. (573-676-5959), lists restrooms, water, food and camping. Directions on Google Maps.
• Portland, mile 115.9: trailhead parking. The Second Chance Landing Guest House, 419 Highway 94 in Rhineland (479-530-5627), is listed for lodging and water. Directions on Google Maps.

For lodging and visitor questions in the county, the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce is at 800-257-3554 or 573-642-3055.

Can you ride a horse on the trail here?

Yes, on part of it. Horses are allowed from Tebbetts to Portland, according to the state’s general information page. Elsewhere only pedestrians and bicyclists may use the trail, and gas-powered vehicles, including ATVs, are banned. Electric-assist bikes up to 20 mph are allowed. Pets must be leashed. The trail is open sunrise to sunset. The state does not provide camping along the trail. At trailheads with modern restrooms, water is shut off and restrooms close from roughly November through March, with portable toilets in winter. The state says the majority of the trail is accessible to people with disabilities. For the trail office, call 573-449-7402.

Which state parks are just outside Callaway County?

• Graham Cave State Park, at Danville, is a 386-acre park where artifacts show people lived in the cave 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. It has hiking, camping, boating and fishing.
• Missouri State Museum and Jefferson Landing State Historic Site in Jefferson City. The state’s museum page says Jefferson Landing was closed from June 1 through Oct. 16, 2026, while the Capitol and the museum stayed open, and that tours from Oct. 17 on are booked online or by calling the museum at 573-751-2854. The state’s Park and Site Status Map has not always matched that page, so call before you go.

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.
• Trail map: The Katy Trail State Park page links the park’s trail map.

What else is happening in Callaway County?

Before you ride, read parking and shuttles for a Katy Trail ride, which explains how to leave a car and arrange a shuttle. In Fulton, the lights come on at the Field of Joy Christmas trees on Thursday, Dec. 3. If you are driving in on I-70, U.S. 54 is closed at Kingdom City from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.