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.

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. Gray's Lake Open Space–Gray's Lake, 6 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 94 min of walking

4. 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

5. Lime Basin–Clive Greenbelt Trail, 4 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Head back7:33 PM
   4. At your car9:44 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 9:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 261 min of walking

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. John Pat Dorrian Viewpoint & Martin Luther King Junior Trail 1.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car8:39 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 134 min of walking

11. 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

12. 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