See all 5 routes on Cannon River
Minnesota | Southern Minnesota
Cannon RiverCannon River Wilderness Area to Riverside City Park, Northfield
DNR-recommended Cannon River day trip from the Wilderness Area carry-in to Northfield Riverside City Park, with official access records, on-route watercraft-campsite context, and the direct Northfield interpreted gauge.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Paddle the DNR-recommended Wilderness Area to Northfield day trip with a direct interpreted gauge at the take-out. The trip must end at Riverside City Park before the 10-foot Northfield dam, which DNR maps as having no developed portage.
Access map
Put-in
Cannon River Wilderness Area carry-inMinnesota public-water-access GIS resolves the Wilderness Area carry-in and Riverside City Park / Highway 3 access with river-mile records.
Take-out
Riverside City Park / Highway 3 accessThe route ends just above the Northfield dam. Treat Riverside City Park as the mandatory take-out, not an optional stop.
Road shuttle
Stage at Riverside City Park in Northfield, then launch from the Cannon River Wilderness Area carry-in. Confirm the take-out before launch because the Northfield dam is immediately downstream of the park.
Additional access notes
- DNR warns that public route maps do not imply permission to use private banks; stay on public accesses and designated campsites.
More route and safety guidance
- Low water can make the Cannon shallow and rocky, while heavy rain can create flooding, fast current, and fresh wood hazards.
- Use only designated public accesses and designated campsites. DNR warns not to camp on riverbeds next to private property or trespass on private banks.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Cannon River at Northfield, 2nd St West |
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| Preferred range | 202 cfs to 2,730 cfs |
| Low threshold | 88 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,710 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Cannon River at Northfield |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- DNR recommended one-way8.5 mi, Wilderness Area to Riverside City Park
MN DNR lists Cannon River Wilderness Area Carry-in Access to Riverside City Park in Northfield as a recommended one-way paddle.
- Public access recordsWAS01381 to WAS01379
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves the Wilderness Area and Riverside City Park / Highway 3 public access sites with coordinates and river-mile records.
- Official DNR bands88 / 202-2,730 / 3,710 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Northfield gauge as Scrapable below 88 cfs, Low from 88 to 202, Medium from 202 to 2,730, High from 2,730 to 3,710, and Very High above 3,710.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23855 cfs at 2026-07-23 10:45 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Camping and dam contextWilderness watercraft campsites; Northfield dam below take-out
DNR Cannon maps show Wilderness-area campsite amenities upstream and a 10-foot Northfield Dam just below Riverside City Park with no developed portage.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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