Sunset hikes

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. Moore Creek Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 59 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. The Triangle–Arboretum Pond, 5 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM — 11 min before dark.

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

3. Arboretum Pond & Prairie View Trail 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 82 min of walking

4. Prairie View Trail 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking

5. Upper Moore Creek Natural Reserve–Camper Park, 6 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 119 min of walking

6. Long Meadow Trail–Prairie View Trail, 4 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:53 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 7:53 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 9 min of walking

7. Horse Trough Spring–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 11 sights 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car9:47 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 9:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 820 ft climb · 253 min of walking

8. Prometheus–Camper Park, 3 sights 1.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Upper Quarry–Camper Park, 3 sights 1.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Prairie Viewpoint–Chuck Beebe Scenic Bench, 9 sights 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car9:37 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 9:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1040 ft climb · 247 min of walking

11. Natural Bridges Rock Arch–Natural Bridges State Beach Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 61 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Point Santa Cruz–2222 Beach, 3 beaches 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:12 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

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