The best road cycling routes in Cannon River Wilderness Park

There are several road cycling routes available in the Cannon River Wilderness Park area. Our guide features 5 distinct routes, offering a variety of experiences for cyclists.

The Cannon River Wilderness Park area offers a diverse natural landscape characterized by a wooded river valley, forested hills, and ravines. You'll encounter steep bluffs, river bottom forests along the Cannon River, and remnants of the 'Big Woods' ecosystem. While dedicated road cycling infrastructure within the wilderness park is limited, nearby paved trails like the Cannon Valley Trail provide scenic views of the valley, including overhanging cliffs and extensive wetlands.

Yes, the area offers routes suitable for various skill levels. You'll find both easy and moderate difficulty routes. For example, the Wendwood hill climb – Babcock Park loop from Dundas is an easy route, while the Babcock Park – Memorial Park baseball field loop from Northfield offers a moderate challenge.

Spring is particularly beautiful, with early-blooming wildflowers like Hepatica, Bloodroot, Wild Ginger, and Dutchman's Breeches. The Cannon Valley Trail, being paved, is generally accessible for much of the year, but checking local conditions is always recommended, especially during winter months when snow and ice can affect accessibility.

While road cycling, you'll be near the Cannon River, which is a central feature of the landscape. Within the broader Cannon River Wilderness Park, you can find natural highlights such as the Rice County Wilderness Park itself, and historical sites like the Henry Fisk Cabin Site. The nearby Cannon Valley Trail also offers views of overhanging cliffs and extensive wetlands.

Yes, for those looking for a longer ride, the Crossing the Cannon River – Cannon Lake loop from Faribault is a moderate route spanning approximately 39.7 miles (63.9 km).

Yes, many of the routes in the area are designed as loops. For example, you can explore the Cannon Lake – Crossing the Cannon River loop from Faribault, which is an easy 24.2-mile (38.9 km) ride, or the Boat in a cradle – Mill Park picnic shelter loop from St. Olaf College, a moderate 12.1-mile (19.4 km) option.

While the Cannon River Wilderness Park itself has limited dedicated paved road cycling infrastructure, the surrounding area, including the popular Cannon Valley Trail, offers paved surfaces. Highway 47, which passes over a shady stream, also provides generous shoulders for biking, indicating good road conditions in certain areas.

The Cannon Valley Trail connects Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing, suggesting that these towns, particularly Cannon Falls and Northfield, would offer amenities for cyclists. These typically include places to eat, rest, and potentially bike shops or repair services, especially given their proximity to popular cycling routes.

For general information about the Cannon River Wilderness Park, including its facilities and other activities like hiking and canoeing, you can visit the official Rice County website: ricecountymn.gov.

More than 40 road cyclists have used komoot to explore the varied terrain in this region. Cyclists often praise the diverse natural landscape, the wooded river valleys, and the connections to scenic paved trails like the Cannon Valley Trail, which offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding nature.