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. Neal Smith Trail & Top Shelf 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

2. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Neal Smith Trail, 3 sights 1.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:54 PM

   1. Be there6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Top Shelf 1.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:53 PM

   1. Be there6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:42 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:42 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Lake Ceres via Top Shelf 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 80 min of walking

5. Johnston Interurban Trail 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Lake Ceres, 4 sights 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 59 min of walking

7. Saylorville Lake–Fisher Lake, 6 lakes 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:13 PM
   3. Head back7:28 PM
   4. At your car10:44 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 10:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 386 min of walking

8. Fisher Lake & Orlabor Gateway Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:13 PM
   3. Head back7:28 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 145 min of walking

9. Orlabor Gateway Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 108 min of walking

10. Inter-Urban Trail–Lake Loop, 6 sights 0.4 mi away

    Be there by 6:54 PM

    1. Be there6:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Dark7:41 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:41 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Riverview Lake–Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach, 7 sights 0.4 mi away

    Be there by 6:54 PM

    1. Be there6:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Dark7:41 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:41 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Crocker Woods–Riverview Lake, 7 sights 1.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Head back7:29 PM
    4. At your car8:10 PM
    5. Dark7:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 85 min of walking