Sunset hikes near Desert Center, ca

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. Gas Line Road & Red Cloud Mine Road Loop 8.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:31 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 92 min of walking

2. Red Cloud Mine Road Loop 10 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:31 PM

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

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 61 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Meek Mine Road & OK Mine Road 27.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

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

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 600 ft climb · 160 min of walking

4. Brooklyn Mine Road & OK Mine Road 27.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 590 ft climb · 154 min of walking

5. Lost Palms Oasis–Cottonwood Spring, 3 groves 25.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:38 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 600 ft climb · 166 min of walking

6. Carlisle Mine Road 31.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 1140 ft climb · 118 min of walking

7. Gold Crown Road Loop 31.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 42 min of walking

8. Chadwick Road 32.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 40 min of walking

9. Little Box Canyon Jeep Trail & Meccacopia Jeep Trail 34.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 106 min of walking

10. Chadwick Road & Old Dale Road 32.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:50 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car9:28 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

    Back at your car by 9:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 243 min of walking

11. Pinkham Canyon 36.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:26 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

    Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 130 min of walking

12. Little Box Canyon Jeep Trail 34.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:08 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

    Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 99 min of walking