Sunset hikes near Mount Vernon, wi

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. Epic Forest–Cass Pond, 7 lakes 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 36 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Cascade Aerator–Epic Forest, 9 lakes 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walking

3. Lake Gandalf–Voyager Lake, 7 lakes 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 35 min of walking

4. Goose Lake–Nessie's Pond, 4 lakes 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

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

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 70 min of walking

5. Nessie's Pond & Fireman's Beach via Military Ridge State Trail 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 65 min of walking

6. Nessie's Pond–Brontosaurus Watering Hole, 3 lakes 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 104 min of walking

7. Whalen Pond–Badger Prairie Pond, 3 lakes 9 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walking

8. Whalen Pond & Ice Age Trail 9.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

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

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 73 min of walking

9. Prairie Moraine County Park Viewpoint & Whalen Pond via Ice Age Trail 9.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 78 min of walking

10. Ice Age Trail 9.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:40 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

    Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 49 min of walking

11. Fireman's Beach 8.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

    Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

12. Badger Prairie Pond–Silent Street Pond, 3 lakes 9.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:20 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 40 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint