Cannon Valley Trail

Activity Overview

Attracting almost 100,000 visitors a year the Cannon Valley Trail stretches for 19.7 miles alongside the Cannon River. The route was once that of a Chicago Great Western Railroad line which connected Red Wing and Mankato. The line was abandoned in 1982 and by 1992 the asphalt surfacing of the Trail was complete. Today the Trail is open to cyclists and walkers alike and there is plenty in the local ecology, archaeology and history for guests to enjoy.

Things to Do

• For lovers of nature there are many potential treats in store along the Trail. There is a rich mixture of flora and fauna along with a variety of animal life which thrives in the area around the trail. The area also has a fascinating geological history too.
• The human history of the trail goes back some 14,000 years which is the dating of the oldest Paleo-Indian artifacts found there. This following thousands of years saw a variety of settlers arrive in the area and while there are a handful of archaeological sites which you can visit around the trail many have yet to be excavated.

Cannon Valley Trail Insider Tips

• There is a map of the trail available online.
• Free parking can be found around the trail.
• Remember if you are age 18 or older and plan on using any kind of wheeled recreational device like a bicycle, skateboard or in-land skates between April 1st and November 1st you must buy a Wheel Pass first. These are available as a day or season pass and can be bought at the trail office, from trailside pay stations or from some local merchants.
• The websites and contact details of the of the Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Red Wing Visitor and convention Bureau are both listed on the Trail's website. It is recommended that visitors get in touch with these bodies to find out more info on the local area, bike rental and camping.