Sunset hikes near Thunder Ridge, 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. Old Plank Road Trail 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

2. 159th Street Bikeway & Veterans Memorial Trail via Spring Creek Greenway 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 121 min of walking

3. Veterans Memorial Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

4. Outer Loop–Outer Loop;Bluff Trail, 4 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

5. Valley Road 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 54 min of walking

6. Steger Road Bikeway via Hickory Creek Bikeway 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 195 min of walking

7. Wauponsee Glacial Sunset Point & Wauponsee Glacial Trail 5.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:33 PM

   1. Be there6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Dark7:20 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Gun Club Lake & Old Plank Road Trail 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:06 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 173 min of walking

9. The Grainery Building & Old Plank Road Trail 3.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Illinois and Michigan Canal 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:11 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

11. I&M Canal Trail 5.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:32 PM

    1. Be there6:32 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Dark7:21 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:21 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Schmuhl School via Hickory Creek Bikeway 4.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:05 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking