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. Rock Creek & water feature 1 via Rock Creek Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

2. Wooded Area & water feature 1 via Bethesda Trolley Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Bethesda Trolley Trail 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

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

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

4. Matthew Henson Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

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

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

5. Lake Bernard Frank–Sunfish Pond, 3 lakes 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:47 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

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

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

6. Study Pond–Sunfish Pond, 3 lakes 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 238 min of walking

7. Sunfish Pond & Rock Creek Trail via Kengla Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 143 min of walking

8. Lake Needwood–Westside Viewpoint, 7 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 4:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car10:06 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 10:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Rock Creek Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

10. ICC Trail–Intercounty Connector Trail, 3 sights 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:37 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

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

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 28 min of walking

11. ICC Trail 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 28 min of walking

12. Lake Frank Overlook–Lake Bernard Frank, 4 lakes 4.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:28 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking