Sunset hikes near West Des Moines, 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. Lake Colechester via Highway 28 Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

2. Lime Basin & Great Western Connector via Great Western Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walking

3. Great Western Trail 2.7 mi away

   Be there by 6:56 PM

   1. Be there6:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Lime Basin & Great Western Connector via Great Western Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

5. Lake Halice–Colby Woods Trail, 4 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Clive Greenbelt Trail–Walnut Creek Trail, 3 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car9:41 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 263 min of walking

7. Waveland Trail 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

8. Greenwood Park Lagoon–Maytag Reflecting Pool, 5 sights 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 31 min of walking

9. Blue Heron Lake–Raccoon River Park Beach, 3 beaches 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 146 min of walking

10. City Campus Pond & Jordan Creek Trail Loop 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car7:52 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

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

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 42 min of walking

11. Gray's Lake–MacRae Park Pond, 8 sights 0.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

12. Walker Johnston Fishing Pond–Colby Woods Trail, 4 sights 0.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking