Sunset hikes near Valley View, 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. Crabapple Lake 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

2. Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 6 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

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

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 113 min of walking

3. Lambert Lake Nature Preserve & Lambert Lake 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:07 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

4. Ellynwood Nature Preserve & Illinois Prairie Path 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 165 min of walking

5. Meadow Lake–Crabapple Lake, 4 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

6. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3+4 Loop, 3 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 31 min of walking

7. Round Meadow Lake–Eagle Lake, 3 lakes 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

8. Big Rock–Eagle Lake Loop, 5 sights 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 48 min of walking

9. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3 Loop, 3 sights 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

10. Rice Lake & Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail 1.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:05 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:32 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

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

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 53 min of walking

11. Eagle Lake–Meadow Lake, 4 sights 0.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:14 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Sunfish Pond–Sterling Pond, 5 sights 0.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:13 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 6 min before dark.

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