The Cannon has its sources in an area of many lakes in eastern Le Sueur County and western Rice County; the main stem originates in Shields Lake. The river winds west as the Big Cannon River, then south, and eventually northeast. From the lake region of glacial drift and moraines, the Cannon winds through rolling hills, small bluffs, farmland and wooded areas before dropping into a deep valley near Northfield. There are several small spillways between Sakatah Lake and Cannon Lake and large dams at Faribault, Northfield, and near Cannon Falls. From Cannon Falls down to the Mississippi, the river flows through the most scenic and deepest part of the valley, at the foot of rock cliffs and bluffs, some towering 300 feet high.

The major tributaries of the Cannon are the Straight River, flowing north through Owatonna to Faribault, and the Little Cannon River, entering at Cannon Falls. The most popular section for paddling is from Cannon Falls to Welch. The river's name is an English mistranslation of the French Riviere aux Ganots, or Canoe River; the French and Indians cached their canoes at the river's mouth while hunting buffalo on nearby prairies. The Cannon drains a watershed of 1,462 square miles. For most of its length of about 80 miles, the Cannon has moderate current with some small rapids. The total drop is about 400 feet.

The book "Canoeing The Driftless" describes the Cannon River paddling routes from Sakatah Lake near Waterville to the Mississippi river. The Cannon River is a designated canoe route with DNR accesses along the most popular sections of the river. Maps and detailed route descriptions in this guide can be used to plan short day trips or longer overnight trips.

Cannon River Routes:

o Sakatah Lake to Faribault, 17 miles.
o Faribault to Northfield, 16 miles.
o Northfield to Cannon Falls, 17 miles.
o Cannon Falls to Welch, 11.5 miles.
o Welch to Mississippi River, 17 miles.