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. Big Creek Lake 1.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:54 PM

   1. Be there6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:42 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:42 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. High Trestle Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

3. Saylorville Lake & Big Creek Lake via Neal Smith Trail 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

4. Big Creek State Park Beach 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

5. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

6. Swan Song & Top Shelf 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 72 min of walking

7. Neal Smith Trail 8.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:54 PM

   1. Be there6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach–Neal Smith Trail, 3 sights 8.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:54 PM

   1. Be there6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Lake Ceres 8.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

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

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

10. Orlabor Gateway Trail 9.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Head back7:29 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:41 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

11. High Trestle Viewpoint via High Trestle Trail 9.9 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

12. Johnston Interurban Trail 9.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Head back7:29 PM
    4. At your car8:47 PM
    5. Dark7:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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