Cannon River, Faribault to Northfield
SNAPSHOT
• River Miles: 16, Avg run time about 8-10 hours.
• Avg Drop: ft/mi: 3.3.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Hazards: 1 dam to portage.
This is a very beautiful stretch of the Cannon that flows through a beautiful
wooded
valley with impressive limestone bluffs. Eight miles downstream from Faribault
is the
Cannon River Wilderness area that has 3 designated wilderness campsites. The
total river
distance from Faribault to Northfield is 16 miles.
There are five designated accesses along this route that allow flexibility in
planning a
paddling trip:
1) At Faribault the best access is at the north side at Two Rivers Park that is
a carry-in
access. This access is just downstream from where the Straight River empties
into
the Cannon River.
2) About 7 miles downstream from Faribault just off County Road 3 there is a
carry-in
access with picnic tables, drinking water and toilets.
3) There are 3 wilderness campsites that make a great overnight stop located
within
the Cannon River Wilderness area. One campsite is on the right bank and two are
on the left bank within a mile of each other.
4) At Dundas, about 13 miles downstream from Faribault there is a city park on
the
right bank that offers picnic grounds, drinking water, campground and canoe
access.
5) At Northfield the best access is at Riverside Park on the left bank located
upstream
of the dam.
If you are continuing past Northfield, you will need to find your own way around
the dam
as there is no designated portage and the shores below the dam are high riprap
walls. The
best way is to take out at Riverside Park on the left side above the dam and
carry your canoe
on the sidewalks. There are some unimproved put-in places just downstream of the
highway
19 bridge.
Use County Road 3 to shuttle cars/canoes between Faribault and Northfield.
River Scene
During the 1870’s there were 15 flourmills along this stretch of the Cannon
River. The
remains of Archibald Mill, near the town of Dundas, can be viewed on the left
riverbank.