When a 1986 flood wiped out the old MKT railroad line, Missouri had a choice: sell the corridor off in pieces or turn it into something the whole state could use. A donation from Ted and Pat Jones, a fight in the state legislature, and 40 years of town-by-town work built the Katy Trail, now the longest developed rail-trail in the country at 237 miles — and the backbone of an outdoor recreation economy that keeps growing.

That story, and the one still being written on the Rock Island Trail, is the subject of a new documentary from a St. Louis filmmaking team: The Trail State. The film follows the Katy Trail corridor from Machens to Clinton and picks up the Rock Island Trail’s parallel transformation, talking to the business owners, trail advocates, community leaders, and residents who’ve built an economic and cultural anchor out of a former rail line.

The film premieres Tuesday, September 22, at the Missouri History Museum, followed by a broadcast on Nine PBS at 7 p.m. on October 12. It’s produced by Magnificent Missouri, Once Films, and STL.org — the inaugural “Filmanthropic” production from Once Films and STL.org, a documentary initiative built to strengthen nonprofit missions and drive civic engagement.

“People think this is a film about bicycles or hiking. It isn’t. It’s a film about Missouri,” said Chris Ryan, director of The Trail State and founder of Once Films and STL.org. “It’s about how trails connect communities, preserve history, support small businesses, attract visitors from around the world, and create opportunities for future generations.”

Executive Producer Dan Burkhardt, co-founder of Magnificent Missouri, says the film taps into a story the outdoor recreation world in Missouri has been living for decades but rarely seen told in full.

“Missouri has an opportunity to own a story unlike any other state,” Burkhardt said. “Our trails connect small towns, historic communities, world-class outdoor recreation, and authentic local experiences in ways that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

Event Details

THE TRAIL STATE — Documentary Premiere

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 5-8 p.m. Missouri History Museum

Admission is complimentary with advance registration.

A post-screening conversation with the filmmakers and community leaders will cover tourism, conservation, economic development, and the future of Missouri’s trails.

REGISTER FOR THE PREMIERE HERE.

Watch the trailer below.