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. Virgil Gilman Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 10 min before dark.

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

2. Turnstone Lake via Virgil Gilman Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

3. Great Prairie Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 118 min of walking

4. Prairie Loop Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 69 min of walking

5. Central Loop 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

6. Prairie Trail & Red Fox Loop via Mid-County Trail 2.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

8. Welch Creek 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Cave of the Spirit via Fox River Trail 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 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 · 28 min of walking

10. Big Turtle Viewpoint via Fox River Trail 6.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

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

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking

11. Fox River Trail 6.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:06 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 116 min of walking

12. Nelson Lake–Coyote Trail Loop, 3 sights 4.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:13 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint