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. Independence Park - Fire Road–Independence Park - Trail 4, 4 sights 1.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:39 PM

   1. Be there6:39 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Dark7:26 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:26 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Independence Park - Trail 2–Independence Park - Trail 3 Loop, 3 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Independence Park - Trail 3 & Independence Park - Trail 4 Loop 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 56 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Archery Range–Rapido Loop, 3 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 36 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Lake Butterfield–Lake Zuercher, 3 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 50 min of walking

6. Tarpaper via Scott's Extension 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 28 min of walking

7. Independence Park - Fire Road 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

8. Pekin Lake 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. River Trail of Illinois 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset6:59 PM
   3. Head back7:14 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

10. Farm Creek & River Trail of Illinois 5.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Head back7:14 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

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

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 49 min of walking

11. Rock Island Greenway 8.5 mi away

    Be there by 6:39 PM

    1. Be there6:39 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Dark7:26 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:26 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Farmdale Reservoir & Schroll's Loop 9.6 mi away

    Be there by 6:38 PM

    1. Be there6:38 PM
    2. Sunset6:59 PM
    3. Dark7:26 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:26 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead