Sunset hikes near South Ridge Estates, 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. School Lake & Karras-Kaul Connector Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car9:52 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

   Back at your car by 9:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.5 mi to the viewpoint · 310 ft climb · 282 min of walking

2. Harry Piper Parkway Trail 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:58 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

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

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 52 min of walking

3. Easter Lake–Easter Lake Beach, 4 lakes 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 36 min of walking

4. Easter Lake Connector Trails 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 61 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Lake Colechester via Highway 28 Trail 5 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

6. Great Western Trail 5 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Lime Basin & Great Western Connector via Great Western Trail 5 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:53 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walking

8. Lime Basin & Great Western Connector via Great Western Trail 5 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

9. EMC Overlook–MacRae Park Pond, 3 sights 4 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Gray's Lake–EMC Overlook, 5 lakes 4.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:34 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:34 PM — 11 min before dark.

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

11. Gray's Lake Open Space–Gray's Lake, 6 sights 4.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car8:18 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

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

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 94 min of walking

12. Corner Pocket–Jerry Kelly Trail, 3 sights 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:56 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:56 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:44 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 12 min before dark.

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