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 2.7 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 3.4 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. Mount Hoy–Silver Lake, 8 lakes 3 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

4. Silver Lake–McKee Marsh, 9 lakes 3 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

5. Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 5 lakes 3.4 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

6. Batavia Road Sidepath & Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur 2.6 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 — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

7. White Pine Pond–Sand Pond, 3 lakes 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:20 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 23 min of walking

8. Big Turtle Viewpoint & Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:15 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 9:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 252 min of walking

9. Cave of the Spirit & Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:16 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 254 min of walking

10. Route 59 Path & Route 59 1.7 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

11. Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 4 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

12. McKee Marsh–White Pine Pond, 4 lakes 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:24 PM

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

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

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking