Sunset hikes near Waterford, mn

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. Upper Arboretum–Lower Arboretum, 6 groves 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 132 min of walking

2. Oxbow Pond via Carleton Arboretum Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

3. Turtle Pond–Oxbow Pond, 3 lakes 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

4. Lower Arboretum–Lilac Hill, 6 lakes 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walking

5. St. Olaf Natural Lands–Big Pond, 10 lakes 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 48 min of walking

6. St. Olaf Natural Lands Forest Restoration–St. Olaf Natural Lands, 10 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 125 min of walking

7. CROCT Trail from Walgreens–East River Trail, 3 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 102 min of walking

8. Mill Towns State Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:09 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 97 min of walking

9. West Praire Hill & East Prairie Hill 7.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 43 min of walking

10. Basswood Trail–Big Woods Trail, 6 sights 10 mi away

    Leave by 5:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car8:35 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 148 min of walking

11. Fox Trail 10.2 mi away

    Be there by 6:46 PM

    1. Be there6:46 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Dark7:35 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:35 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Big Woods Trail–Fawn Trail, 5 sights 9.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 11 min before dark.

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