AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Sunset hikes near Des Moines, 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.

6 of 12 spots
  1. EMC Overlook–MacRae Park Pond, 3 sights 1.7 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

  2. Gray's Lake–EMC Overlook, 5 lakes 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:34 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:34 PM — 11 min before dark.

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

  3. Easter Lake–Easter Lake Beach, 4 lakes 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 36 min of walking

  4. Inter-Urban Trail–Lake Loop, 6 sights 2.8 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

  5. Neal Smith Trail 3 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

  6. Crocker Woods–Riverview Lake, 7 sights 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car8:14 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 85 min of walking

  7. Riverview Lake–Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach, 7 sights 2.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

  8. Martin Luther King Junior Trail 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:52 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 42 min of walking

  9. Jackson Basin via Carl Voss Trail 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

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

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 57 min of walking

  10. Carl Voss Trail 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:38 PM — 7 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

  11. MacRae Park Pond & 2nd Avenue Sidepath via Meredith Trail 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:50 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:40 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:40 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walking

  12. John Pat Dorrian Trail 1.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:50 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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