Sunset hikes near Lake Potomac, md

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. Lowline via Muddy Branch Greenway Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walking

2. Paw Paw Viewpoint–Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 4 lakes 2.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:51 PM

   1. Be there6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Dark7:38 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:38 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal–Calithea Trail, 4 sights 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:51 PM

   1. Be there6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Dark7:38 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:38 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Lock Island–Paw Paw Viewpoint, 9 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

5. Patowmack Island–Beech Island, 10 groves 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car10:22 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 10:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.8 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 349 min of walking

6. Pepco Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 21 min of walking

7. Johns Hopkins Drive Sidepath 4.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:51 PM

   1. Be there6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Dark7:38 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:38 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Lake Halcyon–Lake Varuna, 5 sights 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 156 min of walking

9. Lake Varuna–Great Seneca Highway Sidepath, 4 sights 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 159 min of walking

10. Great Seneca Highway Sidepath 4.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:32 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Lake Varuna & Muddy Branch Greenway Trail 4.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

12. Inspiration Lake & Lake Nirvana via Muddy Branch Greenway Trail 4.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking