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. Crabapple Lake 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

2. Southern Dupage Regional Trail 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 119 min of walking

3. Whalon Lake–Oak Spur Trail, 3 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 4:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:17 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car9:24 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.5 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 272 min of walking

4. Lake Harriet & Valley Trail (1.0 mi) via Greene Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 97 min of walking

5. Hawthorne Hill Woods Trail 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Greene Trail 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Lake Carleton & Lake Harriet 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3 Loop, 3 sights 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

9. Big Rock–Eagle Lake Loop, 5 sights 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 48 min of walking

10. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3+4 Loop, 3 sights 0.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:17 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:23 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 31 min of walking

11. Meadow Lake–Crabapple Lake, 4 sights 1 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:13 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Round Meadow Lake–Eagle Lake, 3 lakes 1 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:13 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint