Pack a lunch for a day of paddling the Cannon River, a dandy little river close to the Twin Cities that offers bucolic rolling hills, bluffs, glacial rock and woods. It's a great paddle for novice and expert alike. There's little whitewater, and on busy summer weekends you might contend with tubers or see bikers on the adjacent Cannon Valley Trail. Still, it's tough to beat this river. You might spot eagles, deer and the occasional beaver. Don't have a canoe? Several outfitters serve the area.
Runner-up: Root River
