Sunset hikes near Elgin, il

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. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

2. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 68 min of walking

3. Fox River Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

4. Bluestem Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 66 min of walking

5. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 136 min of walking

6. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 173 min of walking

7. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:56 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 198 min of walking

8. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 4.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 192 min of walking

9. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail 5.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

10. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 6.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Private Utility Drive 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:28 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 37 min of walking

12. Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point & Private Utility Drive 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:16 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 8 min before dark.

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