Howdy all. Buddy called the other day, wants to do one more trip before things turn white and frozen. He suggested the Cannon. Anyone have any suggestions on where to put in? Something that would be good for an overnighter. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I've paddled from Faribault to Northfield several times. Its a pretty stretch. Cannon River Wilderness County Park has campsites and is about at the halfway point.

Just paddled it for the first time today from Faribault to Northfield. Nice river. Pretty trip. Especially between Faribault and the county park, lots of sandstone bluffs. Still very nice after that but things flatten out little a bit.

Hit the water around 10:30. Got off around 5:00. Stopped for about an hour at the county park for lunch a short hike. Water levels are pretty low but still doable. Few spots we had to get out to float over shallow areas and a couple spots we had to carry around downed trees that were impassible. Very short carries though, like 10 feet. Added plenty of new scratches to the canoe going over rocks in shallow water. But still a beautiful paddle on a beautiful day.

I believe downstream from Northfield the terrain really flattens out. Then downstream of Cannon Falls it turns more "bluffy" again.

There are camping sites at the county park. Didn't look like many other free canoe-in sites along the river when I was looking at the map. I was hoping to do an overnighter when we first started planning and thought a 2 day trip from Cannon Falls to the Mississippi and then a couple miles south to Red Wing for a takout would be fun.

It's a state water trail so there's detailed information from the DNR:

Cannon River water trail

On the right of that page is a link to the map which will show all accesses as well as river miles.

Alan

i like the stretch before and after welsh. there is a concessionaire in welsh who outfits innertubers. you might want to avoid this stretch on hot summer days. it's a sad world when teenage girls in bikinis is a reason to avoid something, trust me it isn't a pretty sight.

Faribault to Northfield can be easily done in an afternoon. For an overnight trip maybe start out on the Straight River at Medford and camp at the Cannon River Wilderness County Park.

I would start at Cannon Falls and take out at Hwy 61. There is a nice campground just before you reach Welch.

quote Freddy: "
I would start at Cannon Falls and take out at Hwy 61. There is a nice campground just before you reach Welch."

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your input. Ran this by my paddle buddy, he likes the Cannon Falls to Hwy 61 route (even if he is distracted by girls in bikinis) lol. Probably won't have that problem as were doing this in 2 weeks, a tad to chiily.

Anyhow, Freddy, you mentioned a campground just before Welch? I am looking at the DNR water trail map and don't see any symbols for campgrounds anywhere along the trail from Cannon Falls East. Lots of rest areas.

Welch campground

Never stayed here but paddled past/tubed many times.