Sunset hikes near Benton, mn

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Benton Lake 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 41 min of walking

2. Lake Waconia & Lake Waconia Park Beach 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Interlaken Woods & Creek 3.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 32 min of walking

4. Raptor Ridge 7.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 80 min of walking

5. Parley Lake & Raptor Ridge 7.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 83 min of walking

6. Lake 2 & Raptor Ridge 7.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 75 min of walking

7. Festooned Pond - Treated & Gimcrakery Pond - Treated via Dakota Rail Regional Trail 7.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Wassermann Lake 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

9. Young America Lake 8.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Dragon Fly Pond & Baker-Carver Regional Trail 9.3 mi away

    Be there by 6:46 PM

    1. Be there6:46 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Dark7:36 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Crosby Lake–Life in a Cattail Marsh, 4 sights 9.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:23 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 13 min before dark.

    0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Halstead's Bay–Dragon Fly Pond, 3 lakes 9.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:37 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 30 min of walking