Canoeing & Kayaking

The Vermillion River offers great opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. The best opportunities are downstream of U.S. Highway 52.

The reach between Highway 52 and Hastings is dominated by surrounding agricultural land use and is a relatively slow, meandering river. From the western edge of Hastings to the falls, the River enters a much different landscape. At the falls, fast-moving water drops through a bedrock gorge and piques the interest of whitewater kayakers. Below the gorge, the River transforms into the Vermillion River Bottoms. In the bottoms, you’ll find an intriguing floodplain forest landscape that parallels the Mississippi River until the confluence just north of Red Wing.

Be sure to verify that you are permitted to launch your canoe or kayak in the area you plan to go. When in doubt if an access point is public or not, ask.