Sunset hikes near South Switch 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. Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 59 min of walking

2. Observation Deck & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 45 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Calcite Trail 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 33 min of walking

4. Cedar Ridge Viewpoint & Eagle Scout Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 7 min before dark.

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

5. Cattesse Trail & Chief Peosta Trail via Eagle Scout Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:31 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walking

6. Bee Branch Pond–Bee Branch Trail: Upper Loop, 4 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 38 min of walking

7. Northwest Arterial Bike/Hike Trail 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 38 min of walking

8. High Point Trail & Ridge Trail 8.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 75 min of walking

9. 304th Avenue 13.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:43 PM

   1. Be there6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Dark7:31 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:31 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Spring Street Trail 14.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car7:45 PM
    5. Dark7:31 PM

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

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 58 min of walking

11. 325th Avenue 15.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car7:19 PM
    5. Dark7:31 PM

    Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

12. Green Downhill & Watch Tower 19.8 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. Dark7:30 PM

    Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 12 min before dark.

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