Sunset hikes near Rainier, wa

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. Dog Woods–Lesser-Ranch Trail Loop, 4 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:47 PM
   3. Head back8:02 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM — 15 min before dark.

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

2. Fort Lewis Paved Road 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:47 PM
   3. Head back8:02 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM — 15 min before dark.

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

3. Rollover Hill–Geszvain Loop, 6 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 80 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Dandy & Lesser-Ranch Trail via Ranch Loop 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM — 14 min before dark.

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

5. Fagan Lake–Solberg Lake, 5 lakes 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car10:12 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 10:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 257 min of walking

6. Nisqually River Bridge–McEnniery Lake, 7 lakes 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car10:15 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 10:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 265 min of walking

7. Solberg Lake–McKenzie Lake, 3 lakes 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark8:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 79 min of walking

8. Prairie Line Trail 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark8:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

9. 2nd Division Range Road 8.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:46 PM
   3. Head back8:01 PM
   4. At your car9:58 PM
   5. Dark8:17 PM

   Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 233 min of walking

10. Lewis Lake & 96th Avenue South 8.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:57 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:46 PM
    3. Head back8:01 PM
    4. At your car9:24 PM
    5. Dark8:17 PM

    Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 172 min of walking

11. 96th Avenue South 7.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:46 PM
    3. Head back8:01 PM
    4. At your car9:39 PM
    5. Dark8:18 PM

    Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 350 ft climb · 202 min of walking

12. Chehalis Western Trail 10.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:47 PM
    3. Head back8:02 PM
    4. At your car8:42 PM
    5. Dark8:18 PM

    Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 79 min of walking