Sunset hikes near Polk City Junction, 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. High Trestle Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

2. Saylorville Lake & Big Creek Lake via Neal Smith Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:58 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

   Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

3. Big Creek Lake–Big Creek State Park Beach, 3 beaches 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 34 min of walking

4. Big Creek State Park Beach 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

5. Swan Song & Top Shelf 5.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking

6. Neal Smith Trail 5.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Neal Smith Trail, 3 sights 5.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

9. Orlabor Gateway Trail 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Northwest Lakeshore Drive 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

11. Northwest Cherry Creek Lane Loop 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:43 PM — 0 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking

12. Pin Oak via Northwest Cherry Creek Lane 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:49 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 38 min of walking