AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

River Bend Forest Preserve

Sunset Lake–Shadow Lake, 4 lakes

2.4 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 48 min

Sunset Lake–Shadow Lake, 4 lakes is a 2.4-mile out-and-back in River Bend Forest Preserve near Mahomet, IL. The route passes Sunset Lake, River Bend Forest Preserve Beach and Shadow Lake. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 2/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi676 – 699 ft2.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 40.18253, -88.42745
Nearest town Mahomet, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sunset Lake–Shadow Lake, 4 lakes

2.4 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 48 min

Elevation 674–700 ft

Out & Back · River Bend Forest Preserve

Trailhead: 40.18253, -88.42745

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:41 AM · sunset 6:54 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftPass Sunset Lake.
  3. 50 ftPass River Bend Forest Preserve Beach.
  4. 0.6 miPass Shadow Lake.
  5. 0.3 miSharp left, heading S.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  7. 0.1 miSharp left onto Shadow Lake Trail, heading NE.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  9. 300 ftReach Sunset Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 350 ftSharp right, heading W.
  11. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  12. 0.1 miSharp right, heading W.
  13. 0.9 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/sunset-lake-shadow-lake-out-back-7-lakes-4-km-fece

Trail surface

52% gravel3% dirt45% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:41 AMSunset 6:54 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 6:14 PM for the 6:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Mahomet, Illinois