The MN DNR website has a list of designated "Canoe Routes." Anyone explore much of these rivers?

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/location_map.html

i havent, yet.

this is a great book describing those routes.

paddling minnesota

I do the Root occasionally.

The reason I ask is I live close to the Rum, which I'd like to paddle, but in some areas it looks like a lot of down trees to deal with. But some of the others in central MN that are within a couple hours might be more feasible since I don't have an experienced bow paddler, and add a 2 year old in the boat.

I live near mankato, so I spend a lot of time on the rivers south of town. My favorite is the Cobb when it is running. It has some nice rapids. Not for beginners though. The Blue Earth is fun as well as the Maple. I would be happy to give specifics on any of these as I know them all quite well. Others that I am very familiar with are the straight and the cannon.

Last summer I paddled the Mississippi through Minneapolis. We put in at Boom Island and came out at Hidden Falls Park. We went through three sets of locks and it was a very cool way to see the city. It made for a very easy, enjoyable daytrip. I wouldn't recommend swimming though...

Missisppi from St Cloud to Elk River
Des Moine
Crow Wing
St Croix (scenic but BUSY)

I also have paddling minnesota the book, and it's awesome. The descriptions are spot on.

I've done the Minnesota from Belle Plain to Shakopee. Nothing special here. When we arrived in Shakopee and I stepped out of the canoe onto the bank, I sunk up to my crotch in muck.

for a good list of routs the book paddling Minnesota (the one kanoes mentioned)is a falcon guide I found it at BDalton but you can find it cheaper elsewhere. coupled with the delorme Minnesota atlas & gazetteer for your relay roads and the dnr web site for river levels and you can check in the book for your minimum runnable levels by river and section. you can also contact the dnr for those little pocket maps that will list everything, river mileage, campsites(dnr). almost all the info is provided from the dnr

You can get those little pocket maps online here.

When we first bought our Old Town we paddled for 10 miles north on the Rum and put in at Anoka. It was a beautiful paddle. I hear there are campsites along the rum with a lot of stops along the way. I would like to someday paddle from Mille Lacs all the way to Anoka on the Rum. There are a few class I and II rapids on the Rum.

Paddled the Zumbro including one overnight. Water color not that attractive, but felt good on summer day (rain rain rain had something to do with that). Peaceful - saw only one group of people in 2 days paddling. We didn't go quite to the Mississippi but took out just before.

We overnighted in a campsite along the way (free). We had the most rain I've ever been out in on that trip - poured inches I am sure. Campsite was under tree canopy and no sunlight to dry off anything.

Still we had fun and enjoyed herons and such. Paddle, float. Paddle, float, swim. Repeat. Relaxing trip, need two cars or find a shuttle.