Sunset hikes near Bloomington, ia

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. Skunk River Trail–Tedesco Connector Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car9:13 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 209 min of walking

2. Munn Woods–Pammel Woods Loop, 6 groves 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:09 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 74 min of walking

3. Lake Helen–Tedesco Connector Trail, 3 sights 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 166 min of walking

4. Elwood the Gnome–Lake Helen, 4 sights 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 161 min of walking

5. Walnut Grove & Tedesco Connector Trail 5.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. University Boulevard Trail 5.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail 11.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

8. High Trestle Trail 13.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 43 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. 400th Street 11.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Hickory Grove Lake & Hickory Grove County Park Beach Loop 16 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Head back7:29 PM
    4. At your car7:48 PM
    5. Dark7:42 PM

    Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Big Creek Lake 18.7 mi away

    Be there by 6:56 PM

    1. Be there6:56 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Dark7:44 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:44 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Orlabor Gateway Trail 20.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint