A special viewing of “The Trail State” was held Sept. 25 at the Rosebud Resort and RV Park. The film tells the story of two trails-—the Katy and the Rock Island. Both trails are developed and administered by the Missouri State Parks Department.

The film begins by telling the story of the Katy Trail which is referred to as “Missouri’s longest welcome mat.” That trail runs along the northern banks of the longest river in America, the Missouri River. It meanders across mostly flat land and bypasses many of the small towns in the area.

The Katy Trail allows tourists to see “the best of Missouri” as it winds across the state.

Tourism is currently the second largest industry in the state, with agriculture being the first. Many tourist dollars are spent in the metro areas of St. Louis and Kansas City. Trails attract those tourist dollars to the rural areas as well.

It is estimated, according to the film, that the Katy Trail has created 300 jobs with a resulting $13 million in wages. It also states the Katy has added $39 million in sales to local economies along its route.

Missouri is already a national leader in trails and this helps bring in tourist dollars from outside the state.

One resident who lives about a mile from the Katy Trail reports he has met people from around the world who came to ride the trail.

The film’s focus then turns to the Rock Island Trail.

Railroads played a significant role in the development of a young Missouri and in westward expansion. These railroads brought new life to the communities they served. One by one these railroads have disappeared, leaving the towns along their way to wither. Converting the rail beds into trails is one way to breathe new life into these towns. One person in the film expects it to be a game changer.

The ultimate goal is to connect the Rock Island Trail to the Katy Trail, making it the longest trail system in the country and perhaps the world.

The western portion of the Rock Island Trail, from near Kansas City to Pleasant Hill has already been completed.

A Missouri Senate committee stopped the funding for the Rock Island trail in 2021, but this did not stop construction of the trail.

Gerald completed the first mile of the eastern portion of the Rock Island Trail in 2025, with private funds. Owensville followed suit completing the trail through most of the town. Gasconade County continued the trail east of Owensville to the Soap Creak bridge, a mile or two from Rosebud. Funds are being raised to complete the 24-mile stretch of trail from Gerald to Belle.

The documentary will air on the local PBS station Channel 9, next Monday, Oct. 12.

The story is a visual reminder of the beauty of rural Missouri and a testament to the vision and hard work that has brought the state to the present. In the end, you may see a few familiar local faces.