🚴‍♂️ Keep It Clean: A Cyclist’s Guide to Reducing Litter on the Katy Trail

Trash scattered across a scenic farmland, highlighting the issue of littering in rural areas.

Missouri’s Katy Trail is a scenic, historic, and beloved cycling route that stretches over 240 miles through farmland, river bluffs, and charming small towns. It’s not just a path for cyclists and hikers—it’s a shared space between locals, visitors, and wildlife.

Unfortunately, littering has become a growing problem along the trail. From food wrappers to plastic bottles, abandoned trash damages the environment, harms wildlife, and strains relationships between locals and tourists. Keeping the Katy Trail clean is about respect, responsibility, and preserving its beauty for future generations.

Here’s how cyclists can prepare for their trip, handle trash responsibly, and be good stewards of the trail.

🚯 The Problem with Litter on the Katy Trail

Litter isn’t just an eyesore—it causes real problems for:

🛤️ Trail Users – Trash creates hazards for cyclists, walkers, and runners. No one wants to ride past piles of garbage.

🏡 Local Communities – Towns along the Katy Trail take pride in their environment. Littering creates tension between visitors and residents.

🌱 Farmers & Landowners – Many parts of the trail border private farms and homes. Wind-blown trash can harm crops and livestock.

🐿️ Wildlife & Ecosystem – Plastic, food wrappers, and aluminum cans are dangerous for animals who may try to eat them or get tangled in them.

🚔 Trail Maintenance Crews – Litter increases the workload for park staff and volunteers who work hard to keep the trail clean.

Littering can ruin the experience for everyone. If we want the Katy Trail to stay beautiful, welcoming, and enjoyable, we all have to do our part.

🚴‍♂️ How Cyclists Can Prepare & Handle Trash on the Katy Trail

The best way to keep the trail clean is to plan and be mindful of how you handle trash. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Bring a “Leave No Trace” Mindset

The rule is simple: If you pack it in, pack it out. 🚮 Don’t leave energy bar wrappers, plastic bags, banana peels, or water bottles behind. Even biodegradable items like fruit peels take months to decompose and attract animals.

2️⃣ Use Reusable Gear & Packaging

Avoid single-use plastics by bringing:

✅ A refillable water bottle or hydration pack instead of disposable plastic bottles.

✅ Silicone or reusable snack bags instead of plastic wrappers.

✅ A small zippered pouch to store trash until you find a bin.

3️⃣ Know Where Trash Bins Are Located

Some Katy Trailheads have designated waste & recycling bins. Plan your stops at trailheads, parks, and towns where you can dispose of trash properly.

4️⃣ Don’t Toss Trash on the Trailside

Never assume that someone else will clean it up. Even if you toss something "off the path," it doesn’t disappear—it becomes someone else’s problem or a danger to wildlife.

5️⃣ Be Considerate of Neighbors & Private Land

🚜 Many sections of the Katy Trail pass through private farmland. Farmers don’t want to find your trash in their fields, and animals can get sick from eating litter.

Respect fence lines, boundaries, and local property owners.

🚧 If tourists continually litter, it can create resentment between locals and visitors.

💬 How Littering Hurts the Local & Tourist Relationship

Towns along the Katy Trail welcome cyclists and visitors, but littering strains that hospitality. Here’s why:

🔹 It puts extra burden on locals – When visitors leave trash, residents are often the ones who have to clean it up.

🔹 It damages the reputation of cyclists – If people associate cyclists with littering, it can lead to negative attitudes toward trail users.

🔹 It impacts businesses & tourism – If the Katy Trail looks neglected, it could drive visitors away, harming local shops, cafés, and lodging.

The solution? Be a responsible traveler. Respect the places you visit, and locals will continue to welcome you.

🌎 Building a Community of Respect on the Katy Trail

A clean trail benefits everyone. Here’s how we can work together to make sure the Katy Trail remains a beautiful, shared space:

🤝 Encourage Other Cyclists to Keep It Clean – Lead by example and remind fellow riders to pack out their trash.

🏡 Support Local Clean-Up Efforts – Some trail towns organize clean-up days. If you see litter, take a second to pick it up.

📢 Spread Awareness on Social Media – Use #KeepKatyClean to promote a litter-free trail.

🚮 Be an Advocate for More Recycling Bins – Encourage local businesses and parks to add recycling & waste stations along the trail.

🚴 Ride Responsibly & Keep the Katy Trail Clean

The Katy Trail is a gift to all of us. Whether you're riding for a day or cycling the entire trail, respect the land, the locals, and the wildlife.

Let’s work together to keep the trail clean, beautiful, and welcoming for everyone. 🌿🚲

📍 Visiting McKittrick/Hermann? Stay at The Mercantile on the Katy Trail, where we welcome responsible cyclists! 🏡 🚴‍♂️👉 Book Your Stay Today!