Sunset hikes near Herrold, 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. Top Shelf 2.7 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Lake Ceres 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 31 min of walking

3. Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 3 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car9:01 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 180 min of walking

4. Big Creek Lake via Neal Smith Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

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

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 129 min of walking

5. Lake Ceres–Greenwood Hills Greenbelt, 4 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Head back7:33 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 112 min of walking

6. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Lake Ceres, 5 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Head back7:33 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 83 min of walking

7. Bob Layton Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 38 min of walking

8. Long Meadow Drive Greenbelt 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 39 min of walking

9. Terra Lake–Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach, 4 lakes 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Head back7:33 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Neal Smith Trail, 3 sights 4.5 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Neal Smith Trail 4.6 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. High Trestle Trail 5.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:43 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint