Major city · United States
ClintonClinton, Missouri
Go for one night if you are riding the Katy Trail or fishing Truman Lake; skip it as a sightseeing stop — the town itself is a half-day.
Clinton is a small east-central Missouri town at the western trailhead of the Katy Trail and the northern edge of Truman Lake. Almost nobody comes for the town: they come to ride, walk or fish, then sleep and eat near the square. One night covers it; two if you want a full day on the water or the trail.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice and closures)
- Airports
- MCI · SGF
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Clinton911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Henry County Sheriff (non-emergency)660-885-7021
- Missouri State Highway Patrol (non-emergency)573-751-3313
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Clinton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyClinton is a low-crime small town; the practical risks are highway driving, deer at dusk, summer heat on the trail and open water on Truman Lake.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 660-885-7021 Henry County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 573-751-3313 Missouri State Highway Patrol (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCI Kansas City International (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-70 and MO-7; no direct public transport to Clinton).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealBreakfast diner plate$9–15
- Beerdraught in a tavern$4–7
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$8–20
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Henry County Historical Society)check$5
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$170
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCI Kansas City International (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-70 and MO-7; no direct public transport to Clinton) · SGF Springfield-Branson National (About 2 h 15 min by car; useful if you are coming from the Ozarks)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Clinton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Streets are on a grid and traffic is light, but the trailhead, the lake ramps and the motels are 5–15 min apart with no useful bus service. Parking is free almost everywhere.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
MO-7 east, then MO-83 to the Truman Lake dam area
Lake views, dam and a small-town stop; pair it with a marina lunch.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
MO-7 north to US-50 east
State capitol and Missouri State Penitentiary tours; a full day.
Door to door: About 2 h
MO-7 north to I-70 east
Better as an overnight than a return day.
Cuba, Missouri
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
MO-7 south to I-44 east
Route 66 murals; too far for a comfortable day return.
St. Robert
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 15 min
MO-7 south to I-44 east
Gateway to the Fort Leonard Wood area.
Rolla, Missouri
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 45 min
MO-7 south to I-44 east
Route 66 and cave country; sleep over.
Lebanon, Missouri
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
MO-7 south to I-44 east
Ozarks edge; a stop on a longer I-44 run.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kansas Avenue strip
Chain and independent motels on the south side of town, 5–10 min drive from the square; easiest with a car and a trailer.
Downtown square
Walkable to the courthouse, museum and most non-chain restaurants; very few beds, so book early.
MO-7 west toward Truman Lake
Lake-oriented motels and marinas; best if fishing or boating is the point of the trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–95 excl. bed
- Mid
- $95–160 excl. bed
- High
- $160+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Fuel, 150 km of local driving1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$10 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$240 per person per day, bed included | US$479 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Breakfast diner plate | $9–15 |
| Barbecue plate | $12–20 |
| Beer, draught in a tavern | $4–7 |
| Museum entry (Henry County Historical Society)check | $5 |
| Boat ramp day usecheck | free–$5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $8–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between the square, the trailhead and the lake are longer than they look: drive, do not walk.
- Summer heat and humidity are real; carry water on the Katy Trail, where shade is patchy.
- Rural roads at dusk are deer country — slow down.
- Many small restaurants close by mid-afternoon or on Sundays: check hours before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Henry County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 660-885-7021
- Missouri State Highway Patrol (non-emergency)
- 573-751-3313
Pocket card
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ClintonClinton, Missouri
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Henry County Sheriff (non-emergency)660-885-7021
- Clinton Conventions & Visitors Bureau660-885-8166
Embassy
No embassies in Clinton; nearest consulates are in Kansas City and St. Louis (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MCI → Clinton by rental car: about 1 h 45 min, fuel about $12–18 (check)
- Clinton → Warsaw by car: about 1 h via MO-7 and MO-83 (check)
- Clinton → Jefferson City by car: about 1 h 30 min via MO-7 and US-50 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is there a boat ramp nearby? — Is there a boat ramp nearby?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is it? — How far is it?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Clinton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice and closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MCI and SGF: drive times, last rental-car desk hours, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster around the square with rescue anchors: courthouse, museum, Franklin Street restaurants.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Katy Trail trailhead, Truman Lake ramps and the Henry County Historical Society.
- Lake and trail arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.