Sunset hikes near Franklin, mi

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. Middle Straits Lake & Cebia Beach via West Bloomfield Trail 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car9:44 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

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

   4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 228 min of walking

2. Westwind Lake via West Bloomfield Trail 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car9:36 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 9:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 213 min of walking

3. deer Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds, 3 sights 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car9:08 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 154 min of walking

4. Woodpecker Lake–West Bloomfield Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car9:08 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 156 min of walking

5. Vernal Ponds & Branch Tipi via West Bloomfield Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 169 min of walking

6. Berry Lake–Ralph C. Wilson Jr Foundation Sign, 3 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car11:02 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 11:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.8 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 384 min of walking

7. Ralph C. Wilson Jr Foundation Sign–Mud Lake, 3 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car10:14 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 10:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.9 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 289 min of walking

8. West Bloomfield Trail 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car9:40 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 9:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 221 min of walking

9. Walnut Lake–Karen's Safe-Swim Lane - Start, 3 sights 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:36 PM
   3. Head back7:51 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark8:04 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Path of Wellness 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset7:36 PM
    3. Head back7:51 PM
    4. At your car8:41 PM
    5. Dark8:04 PM

    Back at your car by 8:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 101 min of walking

11. Log Tipi via The Laker Nature Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:36 PM
    3. Head back7:51 PM
    4. At your car8:27 PM
    5. Dark8:04 PM

    Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 73 min of walking

12. Harris Lake 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
    2. Sunset7:36 PM
    3. Head back7:51 PM
    4. At your car8:26 PM
    5. Dark8:04 PM

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

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 71 min of walking