Rochester, Minnesota Metropolitan Area Local whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information. Rochester, Minnesota is not exactly whitewater paddling city USA but if you get in your car you can get to some good whitewater. You'll find some good whitewater in the list below to fit any ability level. All the whitewater is pretty far away as you can see so you'd better plan for a long drive. If you pick the right whitewater spot you will have a great trip. HIGH QUALITY TOPO MAP, CLICK HERE Important Whitewater Safety Information Whitewater paddling spots near Rochester, Minnesota: Whitewater 25 to 50 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Vermilion River, Minnesota, Falls to Old Mill in Hastings, 40 miles away, class II-III+, 0.5 miles long. Whitewater 50 to 75 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Winnebago River, Iowa, East Park to Wren Avenue, 67 miles away, class I-II, 10 miles long. Apple River, Wisconsin, Little Falls, 57 miles away, class II, 4 miles long. Apple River, Wisconsin, Somerset, 52 miles away, class I-II, 2 miles long. Chippewa River, Wisconsin, Downtown EauClaire, 75 miles away, class II, 0.5 miles long. Red Cedar River, Wisconsin, Menomonie to Irvington, 52 miles away, class I-II, 3.9 miles long. St. Croix River, Wisconsin, Taylors Falls, 64 miles away, class II-III, 0.2 miles long. Whitewater 75 to 100 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Cedar River, Iowa, Cedar Falls, 80 miles away, class II, 0.05 miles long. Kettle River, Minnesota, below Big Eddy to St. Croix River, 88 miles away, class I-II, 5 miles long. Lower Tamarack River, Minnesota, Highway 25 to Highway 48/77, 93 miles away, class I-II, 10.2 miles long. Snake River, Minnesota, Cross Lake to confluence with St. Croix River., 87 miles away, class I-II, 12 miles long. Chippewa River, Wisconsin, Jim Falls, 94 miles away, class II-III, 0.5 miles long. Duncan Creek, Wisconsin, Glen Loch Dam to Chippewa River, 85 miles away, class -blank-, 1.5 miles long. Eau Claire River, Wisconsin, Little Falls to Big Falls, 88 miles away, class II-III+, 1.4 miles long. St. Croix River, Wisconsin, Nelson's Landing to Snake River Confluence, 86 miles away, class I-II, 8 miles long. Upper Tamarack River, Wisconsin, Radigan dam to Markville, 99 miles away, class I-II(III), 13.3 miles long. Whitewater 100 to 125 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Kettle River, Minnesota, CR4 to CR52, 116 miles away, class I-II, 25 miles long. Kettle River, Minnesota, Banning State Park to Sandstone, 101 miles away, class II-III(IV), 3 miles long. Midway River, Minnesota, Highway 61 to Thomson Reservoir, 122 miles away, class I-II, 4 miles long. Snake River, Minnesota, Silver Star Road to Township Road, 110 miles away, class I-III, 4 miles long. Snake River, Minnesota, Township Road to Mora, 105 miles away, class I-II, 28 miles long. St. Louis River, Minnesota, Highway 61 to Thomson Reservoir, 122 miles away, class II-III, 3.4 miles long. St. Louis River, Minnesota, CR210 to Oldenburg Point, 121 miles away, class II-V, 3.25 miles long. Amnicon River, Wisconsin, Anderson Hill Road to Cty U, 125 miles away, class II-IV+, 5.7 miles long. Black River, Wisconsin, Little Manitou Falls to Rail Road bridge, 118 miles away, class II-III(V+), 4.8 miles long. Black River, Wisconsin, Hatfield Dam to Power Plant, 120 miles away, class II-III(IV), 3.2 miles long. Chippewa River, Wisconsin, Belille Falls, 120 miles away, class I-II, 9.4 miles long. Dickey Creek, Wisconsin, to Bottom Road, 119 miles away, class -blank-, 2 miles long. Eau Claire River, Wisconsin, Channey Rd, 105 miles away, class I-II, 7.9 miles long. Eau Claire River, Wisconsin, Johnson Road to State Camp Bridge, 116 miles away, class I-II, 10.4 miles long. Halls Creek, Wisconsin, Trow Lake Dam to Black River, 116 miles away, class I-II, 9.7 miles long. Morrison Creek, Wisconsin, South Cemetery Road to Bottom Road landing, 121 miles away, class I-II, 5.3 miles long. Namekagon River, Wisconsin, Hayward River Campground to Springbrook Landing, 109 miles away, class I-II, 15.4 miles long. Robinson Creek, Wisconsin, Kelly Road to W Pine Hill Road, 113 miles away, class I-II(III), 4.9 miles long. St. Croix River, Wisconsin, Gordon Dam to St. Croix Tr., 104 miles away, class I-II, 15.8 miles long. Totogatic River, Wisconsin, Totogatic Flowage to Colton Flowage, 114 miles away, class II-III, 8.9 miles long. Yellow River, Wisconsin, Gilman to Mattes Bridge, 121 miles away, class I-II, 8 miles long. * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the middle of the river section listed, actual driving distance is longer. Other Outdoors Recreation Nearby: Ski Resorts near Rochester, Minnesota: Ski Areas 0 to 50 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Afton Alps, Minnesota, 41 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Welch Village, Minnesota, 28 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Ski Areas 50 to 100 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Trollhaugen, Wisconsin, 62 miles, vertical drop 260 feet Mount La Crosse, Wisconsin, 86 miles, vertical drop 516 feet Wild Mountain, Minnesota, 65 miles, vertical drop 300 feet Buck Hill, Minnesota, 65 miles, vertical drop 309 feet Hyland Ski, Minnesota, 72 miles, vertical drop 175 feet Ski Areas 100 to 150 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Seven Oaks, Iowa, 144 miles, vertical drop 275 feet Sundown Mountain, Michigan, 144 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Christie Mountain, Wisconsin, 105 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Powder Ridge, Minnesota, 141 miles, vertical drop 290 feet Spirit Mountain, Minnesota, 127 miles, vertical drop 700 feet Mount Kato, Minnesota, 106 miles, vertical drop 240 feet * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the ski areas listed, actual driving distance is longer. National Parks near Rochester, Minnesota: National Parks 0 to 100 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, 60 miles Saint Croix National Scenic River, 64 miles National Parks 100 to 200 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 171 miles Effigy Mounds National Monument, 102 miles National Parks 200 to 300 miles from Rochester, Minnesota Grand Portage National Monument, 258 miles Ice Age National Scenic Trail, 216 miles Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 281 miles North Country National Scenic Trail, 216 miles Pipestone National Monument, 266 miles Voyageurs National Park, 215 miles * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the parks listed, actual driving distance is longer. Important Outdoors Safety Information       Go to Minnesota Rivers