Sunset hikes near Border Plains, 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. Copperas Beds–Center Lodge Trail, 3 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 56 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Indian Sunset Point–Copperas Beds, 4 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 25 min of walking

3. Brushy Creek–Meadow Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 129 min of walking

4. Lake Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Boneyard Hollow & Center Lodge Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 24 min of walking

6. Center Lodge Trail & River Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 24 min of walking

7. Clay Hill Trail–Lake Trail, 4 sights 3.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 93 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Bridge Trail–Meadow Trail, 3 sights 4.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:59 PM

   1. Be there6:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Dark7:47 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:47 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. East River Loop 4.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:19 PM
   3. Head back7:34 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:47 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 56 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Badger Lake 16 mi away

    Leave by 6:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:19 PM
    3. Head back7:34 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:48 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

11. W Avenue 19.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:19 PM
    3. Head back7:34 PM
    4. At your car7:55 PM
    5. Dark7:47 PM

    Back at your car by 7:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. 200th Street 23.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:58 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:58 PM
    2. Sunset7:19 PM
    3. Head back7:34 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:47 PM

    Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint