Is prior canoeing experience necessary?

No. The route is suitable for beginners, and all equipment and instructions are provided.

What is included in the rental price?

Life jackets, paddles, and a shuttle service are included to ensure a seamless trip.

How long does the trip usually take?

Most paddlers complete the 8-mile stretch in about two hours, but river conditions can affect timing.

Are children allowed on the trip?

Yes, but children should be comfortable in the water and supervised at all times.

Can I bring my own kayak or canoe?

This trip is designed around rentals from Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rentals; please contact them about private equipment use.

What safety precautions are in place?

Life jackets are required, and the staff provides guidance on river safety prior to launch.

Canoe the Cannon River with Cannon Falls Rentals

The Cannon River carves a lively path through southeastern Minnesota’s rolling landscape, a rich blend of verdant forests, prairie remnants, and limestone bluffs sculpted by ancient glacial forces. Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rentals offers an accessible gateway to this dynamic terrain with its signature 8-mile canoe trip starting in Cannon Falls and winding downstream to Miesville Ravine Park. This roughly two-hour paddle stands out for its blend of steady currents and variable water levels that keep paddlers alert and engaged from put-in to take-out.

Launching from Cannon Falls, a small city that wears its riverside heritage with quiet pride, travelers slip into peaceful stretches lined with cottonwoods and willows, while kingfishers dart overhead and otters occasionally surface nearby. The riverbed’s limestone formations influence both the character and clarity of the water — a cool, inviting route perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

What sets this trip apart is its balance of adventure and accessibility. Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rentals provides everything essential: sturdy life jackets, paddles, and a convenient shuttle service that makes the round-trip effort-free. This thoughtful approach opens up the river to families, solo travelers, and groups wanting a fast-paced river journey without the hassle.

Miesville Ravine Park marks the trip’s conclusion, tucked within a protected greenway featuring mature hardwoods and native wildflowers—a fine place to stretch legs and appreciate Minnesota’s local ecosystem.

Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rentals earns its place as a cornerstone for outdoor adventure in the region, offering a well-supported, immersive way to engage with the Cannon River. Whether carving through riffles or drifting with the current, this paddle ride delivers genuine connection to place, nature, and the flow of the river itself.