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 Elgin Branch 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car9:18 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 259 min of walking

2. Mount Hoy–Silver Lake, 8 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:33 PM

   1. Be there6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Dark7:21 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:21 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 5 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:33 PM

   1. Be there6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Dark7:21 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:21 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Silver Lake–McKee Marsh, 9 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:33 PM

   1. Be there6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Dark7:21 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:21 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Great Western Trail 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 car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

6. Timber Lake via Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

7. Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

8. Lambert Lake Nature Preserve & Lambert Lake 2.6 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

9. Gary-Kehoe Reservoir via Gary Avenue Bicycle Path 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 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.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

10. Ellynwood Nature Preserve & Illinois Prairie Path 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:31 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 165 min of walking

11. Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 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 — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

12. St. James Farm Bike Trail 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 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 — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking