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 0.4 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. Top Shelf 0.5 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

3. Lake Ceres 1.5 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. Neal Smith Trail 2.7 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. 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

6. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Lake Ceres, 5 sights 2.3 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

7. Lake Ceres–Greenwood Hills Greenbelt, 4 sights 2.6 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

8. Terra Lake–Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach, 4 lakes 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Head back7:33 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 118 min of walking

9. Saylorville Lake–Fisher Lake, 6 lakes 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 3:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car10:48 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 10:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Fisher Lake & Orlabor Gateway Trail 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:44 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 145 min of walking

11. Inter-Urban Trail–Lake Loop, 6 sights 1 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

12. Riverview Lake–Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach, 7 sights 1.2 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