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 2.6 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. Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 4 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

3. Lambert Lake Nature Preserve & Lambert Lake 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walking

5. Meadow Lake–Crabapple Lake, 4 sights 2.1 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

6. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3+4 Loop, 3 sights 2.4 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

7. Round Meadow Lake–Eagle Lake, 3 lakes 2.8 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. Big Rock–Eagle Lake Loop, 5 sights 2.8 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

9. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3 Loop, 3 sights 2.9 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

10. Ellynwood Nature Preserve via Illinois Prairie Path 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:18 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:18 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 · 30 min of walking

11. Rice Lake & Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail 0 mi away

    Leave by 6:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:34 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 53 min of walking

12. Rathje Pond–Illinois Prairie Path, 3 sights 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:14 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 132 min of walking