AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Mississippi Palisades State Park Sunset Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 4 sights

3.1 mi · ▲ 80 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Mississippi Palisades State Park Sunset Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 4 sights is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Mississippi Palisades State Park near Marcus, IL. The route passes Aspen Sunset Point and Goldenrod Sunset Point before reaching Mississippi Palisades State Park Sunset Point at the turnaround, 1.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 80 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 58/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi843 – 902 ft3.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.16082, -90.15077
Nearest town Marcus, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Mississippi Palisades State Park Sunset Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 4 sights

3.1 mi · ▲ 80 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Elevation 843–903 ft

Out & Back · Mississippi Palisades State Park

Trailhead: 42.16082, -90.15077

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:03 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.3 miTurn right onto Aspen Trail, heading NW.
  3. 50 ftPass Aspen Sunset Point.
  4. 0.2 miBear right onto Goldenrod Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.2 miPass Goldenrod Sunset Point.
  6. 0.3 miBear right onto High Point Trail, heading W.
  7. 0.2 miTurn left onto Route 84 Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  9. 150 ftReach Mississippi Palisades State Park Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 0.2 miTurn right onto High Point Trail, heading N.
  11. 0.2 miBear left onto Goldenrod Trail, heading E.
  12. 0.6 miBear left onto Aspen Trail, heading SE.
  13. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  14. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/mississippi-palisades-state-park-sunset-point-goldenrod-sunset-point-out-back-4-sights-bc69

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:47 AMSunset 7:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:43 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:03 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:31 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Marcus, Illinois