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. Wooded Area & water feature 1 via Bethesda Trolley Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 31 min of walking

2. Rock Creek & water feature 1 via Rock Creek Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

3. Bethesda Trolley Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 38 min of walking

4. Lake Bernard Frank–Sunfish Pond, 3 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.9 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 294 min of walking

5. Study Pond–Sunfish Pond, 3 lakes 3 mi away

   Leave by 4:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car9:41 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

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

   5.5 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 276 min of walking

6. Rock Creek Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

7. Charred Oak Neighborhood Conservation Area & Tadpole Nursery via Cabin John Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

8. Tadpole Nursery via Cabin John Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 3 min of walking

9. Cabin John Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

10. Matthew Henson Trail 5.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car7:48 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 46 min of walking

11. Lake Needwood–Westside Viewpoint, 7 sights 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 4:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car10:10 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

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

    6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 327 min of walking

12. Lake Frank Overlook–Lake Bernard Frank, 4 lakes 6.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car7:31 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking