Sunset hikes near Vernon Hills, 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. Sky Zone–Old School Blue Loop, 3 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Miceli Pond–Half Day Pond, 3 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 76 min of walking

3. Indian Creek–Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Bike Path, 3 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 77 min of walking

4. Anthony Adams tree–Half Day Pond, 5 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

5. Birch?–Half Day Pond, 6 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 164 min of walking

6. Half Day Pond–Ranney Pond, 5 lakes 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Des Plaines River Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 65 min of walking

8. Ranney Pond–Willow Lawn Memorial Park Pond, 4 sights 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:39 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 106 min of walking

9. Liberty Lake via Des Plaines River Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:42 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 187 min of walking

10. Minear Lake Beach & Half Day Pond via Des Plaines River Trail 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:10 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 125 min of walking

11. The Lake at Independence Grove–Minear Lake, 7 lakes 3 mi away

    Leave by 5:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:09 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 123 min of walking

12. Gavin Woods Pond 2–Everett Road Bike Path, 3 sights 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 4:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:10 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car9:29 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 9:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 284 min of walking