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 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 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 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

3. Nelson Lake–Coyote Trail Loop, 3 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

4. Coyote Trail–Nelson Lake Trail, 3 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 68 min of walking

5. Bobolink Trail–Coyote Trail, 3 sights 1.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Great Prairie Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Prairie Loop Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Central Loop 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

9. Prairie Trail & Red Fox Loop via Mid-County Trail 0 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:21 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walking

11. Cave of the Spirit via Fox River Trail 4.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

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

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 28 min of walking

12. Big Turtle Viewpoint via Fox River Trail 5 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

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

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking