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 2.2 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 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 146 min of walking

3. Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur–Route 59 Path, 3 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 3:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:51 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:51 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.6 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 326 min of walking

4. Route 59 Path & Route 59 2.4 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

5. Springbrook Prarie Trail 0.4 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. Sunflower Trail 1.4 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

7. Lake Patterson & Beaver Trail via Meadowview Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:46 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

8. Henslow's Trail & Sunflower Trail 2.2 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

9. Silver Lake–Mud Lake, 4 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 150 min of walking

10. Tall Grass Greenway 3.1 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

11. Tall Grass Greenway via Normantown Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:18 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:21 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. Mud Lake via West Branch DuPage River Trail 2.9 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