Sunset hikes near Gold Coast, 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. Monroe Harbor–31st Street Harbor, 22 lakes 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 3:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.7 mi to the viewpoint · 328 min of walking

2. 31st Street Harbor–Burnham Harbor North Basin, 13 lakes 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car9:17 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 262 min of walking

3. Soldier Field Sledding Hill–31st Street Harbor, 9 beaches 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 152 min of walking

4. Turning Basin 4.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 38 min of walking

5. East Lagoon–Morgan Point, 7 beaches 6.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:31 PM

   1. Be there6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Dark7:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Jackson Park Outer Harbor–Jackson Park Inner Harbor, 9 beaches 6 mi away

   Leave by 5:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 151 min of walking

7. Water Playground–Gateway Plaza Fountain, 3 lakes 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 4 min before dark.

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

8. 41st Street Beach & 49th Street Beach via Lakefront Trail 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walking

9. 41st Street Beach & 49th Street Beach via 43rd Street Pedestrian Bridge 6.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:31 PM

   1. Be there6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Dark7:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Main Line (Columbus-Chicago) 4.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:14 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking

11. Horner Park Hill–Horner Park Beach, 3 beaches 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 46 min of walking

12. Horner Park Beach–312 RiverRun, 3 sights 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:10 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

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

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking