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. Lake Carleton–Lake Harriet, 3 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:13 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 159 min of walking

2. Southern Dupage Regional Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 131 min of walking

3. Route 59 Path & Route 59 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

4. Sunflower Trail 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 49 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Springbrook Prarie Trail 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 51 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Lake Patterson & Beaver Trail via Meadowview Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 126 min of walking

7. Henslow's Trail & Sunflower Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

8. Tall Grass Greenway 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

9. Normantown Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Mud Lake via West Branch DuPage River Trail 3.2 mi away

    Be there by 6:33 PM

    1. Be there6:33 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Dark7:21 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:21 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Barrington Lake 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 30 min of walking

12. Spring Lake & Willow Lake 2.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:21 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 23 min of walking