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. Main Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.7 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 181 min of walking

2. 75th Street Bikeway 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 57 min of walking

3. Des Plaines River Scenic Overlook–Hawthorne Hill Woods Trail, 3 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 3:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:58 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car9:39 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.1 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 307 min of walking

4. Crabapple Lake 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

5. Southern Dupage Regional Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

6. Lake Carleton–Lake Harriet, 3 lakes 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:25 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. White Oak Trail (2.7 mi) 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

8. Greene Trail 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

9. Lake Harriet & Hawthorne Hill Woods Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

10. Whalon Lake–Lake Carleton, 4 lakes 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:20 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:20 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car9:19 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 9:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 264 min of walking

11. Lake Saint Benedict 1.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:21 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 30 min of walking

12. Oak Spur Trail & Veterans Memorial Trail 2.1 mi away

    Leave by 4:20 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:20 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car9:12 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 257 min of walking