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 0.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Neal Smith Trail & Top Shelf 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

3. Lake Ceres 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Top Shelf 2 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Lake Halice–Colby Woods Trail, 4 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

6. Clive Greenbelt Trail–Walnut Creek Trail, 3 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Head back7:33 PM
   4. At your car9:43 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 9:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Waveland Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

8. Johnston Interurban Trail 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 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 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car9:54 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 9:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.8 mi to the viewpoint · 282 min of walking

10. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Lake Ceres, 5 sights 0.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:17 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
    2. Sunset7:18 PM
    3. Head back7:33 PM
    4. At your car8:15 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 83 min of walking

11. Lake Ceres–Greenwood Hills Greenbelt, 4 sights 1.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:02 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
    2. Sunset7:18 PM
    3. Head back7:33 PM
    4. At your car8:29 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 112 min of walking

12. Bob Layton Trail 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 38 min of walking