Located near the Cannon River Valley area, there are a variety of recreational opportunities available within easy driving distance to residents of Vasa, MN.
The beautiful Cannon Valley Trail is a 19.7 mile long path built on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line that connects the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing. Paralleling the Cannon River, the trail runs through diverse and spectacular scenery, offering glimpses and panoramas of the valley. The Trail is open year round: For bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, hiking and walking in the summer and cross-country skiing and skijoring in the winter.
Beginning with six runs, a T-bar and rope tow in 1965, Welch Village Ski and Snowboard Resort in Welch, MN, has expanded to 50 runs on three mountains and nine chairlifts – Four quads, one triple, four Doubles, a handle tow and Magic Carpet lift. Welch Village currently has 140 acres of skiable areas and an average snowfall of 45 inches yearly. Its highest summit is 1060 feet.
Located just a few miles north of Red Wing, you will find the Hay Creek Management Unit. This secluded area is surrounded by hills forested in oaks, with elm, birch, and basswood mixed in. Visitors come to fly fish in the Hay Creek trout stream or to ride horseback on the 15 miles of equestrian trails that will cover a range of terrain, from creek bottoms to scenic vistas.
Also located in Welch is Welch Mill Canoeing and Tubing. In the summer time, friends and family can enjoy an afternoon of canoeing, tubing, or kayaking along the scenic Cannon River Valley. They offer canoe, tube and kayak rentals. Welch Mill Canoeing and Tubing offers a five and twelve mile canoe and kayak trips for people of any experience level.
The bluegrass fairways and bent grass greens of Cannon Golf Club in Cannon Falls follow along the shores of the Cannon River. This three season traditional golf course is sprinkled with wetlands, ponds and streams that make for a fantastic round of golf. Golfers should bring their “A” game, as they will be challenged by small targets, strategically placed water hazards and a few tough par three’s.
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world. In Minnesota, the river flows through valleys, prairies and woodlands and while offering a variety of recreational activities to choose from. In under an hour, you can travel along the scenic roads from Vasa to Lake City, MN where you will find a charming community located in the Mississippi Bluffs region of Southeast MN. Lake Pepin, a naturally occuring lake on the Mississippi, is the heart of this town and is a tourist attraction for those who enjoy fishing, boating, or water skiing.
Not the outdoors type? With thousands of slots, rows of blackjack tables, mouth-watering food and top notch entertainment, Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch is a premier entertainment destination. What has started as a one-room bingo hall in 1984 has grown into a getaway filled with experiences one can’t find anywhere else, including a marina, golf course and 120-passenger cruise ship.
Located just south of the Twin Cities, is a charming, small college town that has something for every interest. Northfield, MN, located along the shoreline of the Cannon River, is an exciting place to visit any time of the year! Whether you enjoy shopping, arts and theater or site seeing and outdoor recreational activities, Northfield will be sure to surpass your expectations of a good time.
Red Wing, MN was recently named the 23rd most historic place to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine! With a wide variety of recreational activities to choose from: hiking, canoeing, hunting, shopping, antiquing, boating and fishing to only name a few, visitors of Red Wing are sure to find something fun to do. If you plan to stay for the weekend, be sure to book a room at the St. James Hotel to make your experience even more memorable.
