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. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Neal Smith Trail, 3 sights 2.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Neal Smith Trail & Top Shelf 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Lake Ceres 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 31 min of walking

4. Lake Halice–Colby Woods Trail, 4 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

5. Clive Greenbelt Trail–Walnut Creek Trail, 3 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car9:41 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

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

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 263 min of walking

6. Waveland Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

7. Johnston Interurban Trail & Top Shelf Loop 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

8. Johnston Interurban Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 158 min of walking

9. Greenwood Park Lagoon–Maytag Reflecting Pool, 7 sights 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car9:53 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.8 mi to the viewpoint · 282 min of walking

10. Bob Layton Trail 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:54 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:44 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

11. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Lake Ceres, 5 sights 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:15 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car8:13 PM
    5. Dark7:44 PM

    Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 83 min of walking

12. Long Meadow Drive Greenbelt 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car7:49 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 39 min of walking