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 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:02 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car9:39 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.2 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 302 min of walking

2. Great Western Trail 2.2 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

3. Lambert Lake Nature Preserve & Lambert Lake 1.1 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. Gary-Kehoe Reservoir via Gary Avenue Bicycle Path 3.4 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

5. Ellynwood Nature Preserve & Illinois Prairie Path 1.3 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

6. Rice Lake & Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail 2.8 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

7. Mount Hoy–Silver Lake, 9 lakes 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 138 min of walking

8. Rathje Pond–Illinois Prairie Path, 3 sights 1.6 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

9. Front Pond–Wood Duck Pond, 5 lakes 1.6 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

10. Silver Lake–White Pine Pond, 8 lakes 1.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:11 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 126 min of walking

11. Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 5 lakes 2 mi away

    Leave by 5:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:08 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 118 min of walking

12. Rathje Pond & St. James Farm Bike Trail via Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch 2.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 104 min of walking