Sunset hikes near Ely, 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. Hoover Nature Trail 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 118 min of walking

2. Seven Sisters Road 4.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Coralville Lake–Lake Macbride, 4 lakes 5.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Lake Macbride & Field Campus Trail via Raptor Ridge Trail 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

5. Locust via Sac & Fox Trail 5.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 38 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Prairie Park Fishery–Ephemeral Pond, 3 lakes 5.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 118 min of walking

7. Bowling Street Trail 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 76 min of walking

8. Ephemeral Pond & Ash via Sac & Fox Trail 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Mount Trashmore Scenic Overlook–Cedar River Trail, 3 sights 7.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 3 min of walking

10. Mount Trashmore–Mount Trashmore Scenic Overlook Loop, 4 sights 7.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:32 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 23 min of walking

11. Fox Valley Pond 7.9 mi away

    Be there by 6:47 PM

    1. Be there6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Dark7:35 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:35 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Colony Acres & South Slope Pond via Iowa River Corridor Trail 8.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:26 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking