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 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:30 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 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Bethesda Trolley Trail 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Matthew Henson Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

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

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

5. Lake Bernard Frank–ICC Trail, 4 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 28 min of walking

6. Lake Needwood–Westside Viewpoint, 7 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car10:05 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 10:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Lake Frank Overlook–Lake Bernard Frank, 4 lakes 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

8. Study Pond & Sunfish Pond via Wildflower Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walking

9. Sunfish Pond & ICC Trail via Kengla Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:32 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

10. Rock Creek Trail 0.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:27 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

    Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walking

11. ICC Trail–Intercounty Connector Trail, 3 sights 4.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

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

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 28 min of walking

12. ICC Trail 4.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:32 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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