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. High Trestle Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Neal Smith Trail & Top Shelf 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 66 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 3 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car9:00 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 180 min of walking

4. Orlabor Gateway Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 107 min of walking

5. Pin Oak & Northwest Fieldstream Lane 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 108 min of walking

6. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Neal Smith Trail, 3 sights 3.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Top Shelf 6 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Lake Ceres 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 31 min of walking

9. Big Creek Lake 6.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:56 PM

   1. Be there6:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Dark7:44 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:44 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Snyder Pond–Chautauqua Valley Trail, 3 sights 6.9 mi away

    Leave by 3:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:52 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car10:33 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 10:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    7.4 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 366 min of walking

11. Johnston Interurban Trail 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car8:49 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 158 min of walking

12. Northwest Lakeshore Drive 3.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking