Sunset hikes near Machesney Park, 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. Willow Creek Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:39 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 118 min of walking

2. Rock Cut State Park Sunset Point via Willow Creek Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 47 min of walking

3. Perryville Path 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 32 min of walking

4. Pierce Lake & Willow Creek Trail via Perryville Path 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

5. Schoonmaker Park Path 2 mi away

   Be there by 6:39 PM

   1. Be there6:39 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Dark7:27 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:27 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Rock River 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

7. Stone Bridge Trail 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking

8. Mel Anderson Path 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walking

9. River Trail 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Dianne Nora Nature Trail Loop 8.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Head back7:14 PM
    4. At your car7:23 PM
    5. Dark7:27 PM

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 4 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

11. Green Path–Red Path, 3 sights 10.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset6:58 PM
    3. Head back7:13 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Green Path–Orange Path, 4 sights 10.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Head back7:14 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint