Boonville to Franklin Island: Where Salt, Stories, and the River Meet
Paddle Sports Lifestyle: Finding Your Epic Adventure Through Kayaking and Paddling, MR340 and BeyondShow Notes
Discover the story of Boone's Lick Country, visit the preserved village of Arrow Rock, untangle the history of Franklin, New Franklin, and Franklin Island, and see how Boonville became the place where Missouri's river, railroad, and frontier stories all came together. The episode also traces the transformation of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad into today's Katy Trail, where cyclists now follow the same river corridor once traveled by explorers, steamboats, settlers... now MR340 paddlers.
DINING, ENTERTAINMENT AND TOURISM LINKS: Places to see:
Booneville's Historic Walking Tour Arrow Rock State Historic Site Arrow Rock - Plan Your Visit Link https://goboonville.com/about/ Start your Boonville adventure at the Visitor Center and free River, Rails & Trails Museum, run by the Tourism Department for the City of Boonville. Located in the Depot District right next to the Katy Trailhead, the Visitor Center is housed in a restored historic grocery wholesaler warehouse building. While at the Visitor Center, you can experience Boonville’s transportation history at the very kid friendly and free River, Rails, & Trails Museum in the same building. If you are looking for information, maps, area attractions and souvenirs on the area, the Visitor Center is a great place to start. If you are interested in touring the Mitchell Antique Motorcar Museum, this is where you arrange a tour and get your tickets. For cyclists off the trail, it is a perfect stop to fill up your water, make a quick fix on their bike, use the restroom or find a Katy Trail souvenir.
If you have the ability to divide and conquer, you could take a side trip to Warm Springs Ranch and see the Budweiser Clydesdales while in Boonville. Check the website and make advance reservations.
Where to Eat: J. Huston Tavern is owned by Missouri State Parks, and operated by the J Huston Tavern Society. There’s a production of Into the Woods taking place in 2026 through July 26th at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater and I noticed that the tavern has Into the Woods themed desserts!
hustontavern.com
Current Hours: Thursday 5-8 dinner, Friday 4:30-9 dinner, Saturday 11-2 and 4:30-9, Sunday 10-2 brunch
Coco Loco Cafe: 310 Main St, Boonville, MO, United States, 65233
Book Lovers: the book store, Bloom & Bindings was recommended in Boonville. It is across the street from Coco Loco Cafe... a book and a bite. Sounds perfect!
NOTES FOR KATY TRAIL CYCLISTS: Last year, we stayed at the Katy Roundhouse campground, which is just a few miles from Boonville. We had a lovely meal at the Hotel Frederick in Boonville. You would either need to bike back in or stop before you get to the campground.
The Katy Trail Guidebook by Brett Dufur (also paddling the MR340!!) recommends the Derailed Coffee Bar & Cafe, 104 W Spring St. in Boonville
**** 2026 Barge Report https://mr340.org/news/2026-race-barge-report/
2026 Food - (scroll down the page) https://mr340.org/resources/race-course/
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