Sunset hikes near Prairie Center, 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. North 41st Road 4 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. I & M Canal State Trail 9.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walking

3. Fox River & I & M Canal State Trail 9.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 min of walking

4. French Canyon–Wildcat Canyon - west platform, 4 viewpoints 10.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. White Ash & Northern Red Oak via Saint Louis Canyon Trail 11 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 66 min of walking

6. Sac Canyon–Kickapoo Canyon, 3 viewpoints 11 mi away

   Be there by 6:38 PM

   1. Be there6:38 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Dark7:26 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:26 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Lake Falls–Matthiessen Lake, 4 lakes 12.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:20 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

8. Matthiessen State Park Central Road 13.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 88 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Strawberry Rock via Bluff Trail 13.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Bluff Trail 13.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:58 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Head back7:14 PM
    4. At your car7:48 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

    Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 75 min of walking

11. Cascade Falls–Devil's Paint Box, 4 rocks 13.5 mi away

    Be there by 6:39 PM

    1. Be there6:39 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Dark7:26 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:26 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Saint Louis Canyon Waterfall–Gingko, 5 trees 11.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
    2. Sunset6:58 PM
    3. Head back7:13 PM
    4. At your car7:31 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

    Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 37 min of walking

Show longer hikes too