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. Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 49 min of walking

2. Big Turtle Viewpoint & Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur 0.5 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

3. Batavia Road Sidepath & Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur 0.5 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

4. White Pine Pond–Sand Pond, 3 lakes 0.5 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

5. Cave of the Spirit & Illinois Prairie Path Batavia Spur 0.5 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

6. McKee Marsh–White Pine Pond, 4 lakes 1.1 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

7. Route 59 Path & Route 59 1.1 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

8. Mount Hoy–Silver Lake, 4 lakes 1.1 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 · 20 min of walking

9. Lake Patterson & Beaver Trail via Meadowview Trail 2.4 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

10. Mud Lake–Route 59 Path, 3 sights 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:44 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:58 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 99 min of walking

11. Southern Dupage Regional Trail 3.4 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

12. Spring Lake & Willow Lake 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

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

    Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 23 min of walking