Sunset hikes near Emerald Bay, 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. Buck Lake–Ellis Lake, 5 sights 7.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Richardson Lake–Cothrin Cove, 7 sights 8.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Upper Mountain Viewpoint–Quail Lake, 6 sights 8.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Buck Lake–Ellis Lake, 3 sights 8.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Lyons Lake–Lake Sylvia Trail, 3 sights 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Lake Sylvia–Lake Sylvia Trail, 3 sights 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Bear Lake–Ellis Peak Trail, 3 sights 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Ellis Lake & Ellis Peak Trail 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Ellis Peak Trail 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Round Mound–Nevada Beach, 3 beaches 10.2 mi away

    Be there by 6:41 PM

    1. Be there6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Dark7:28 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:28 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Round Hill Pines Beach & Nevada Beach 10.2 mi away

    Be there by 6:42 PM

    1. Be there6:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Dark7:28 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:28 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Nevada Beach–Kingsbury Stinger Trail, 3 sights 10.2 mi away

    Be there by 6:42 PM

    1. Be there6:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Dark7:28 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:28 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

Show longer hikes too