Sunset hikes near Ranken, mo

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. Meramec River–Unger County Park Beach, 4 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 49 min of walking

2. Mud Cave via Red Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 4 min of walking

3. Longview Pond & Laske Pond 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Al Foster Viewpoint–Sherman Beach Park, 4 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Sycamore–Sherman Beach Park, 6 sights 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Rock Hollow 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Zombie Road Spring & Rock Hollow Trail 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Sherman Beach Park–Rock Hollow, 4 sights 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Owl Creek Trail & White Oak Trail Loop 5.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 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 · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Owl Creek Trail & White Oak Trail via Hawk Ridge Trail 5.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:20 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 41 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Governor Bates Trail 9.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

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

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Gravel Trail via Monarch-Chesterfield Levee Trail 9.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

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

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walking