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 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 164 min of walking

2. Mount Hoy–Silver Lake, 8 lakes 3 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 3 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 3 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 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 1.9 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 2.1 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. West Branch DuPage River Trail 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 214 min of walking

9. Gary-Kehoe Reservoir via Gary Avenue Bicycle Path 2.4 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

10. Lies Road Bicycle Path 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:46 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:55 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 94 min of walking

11. Ellynwood Nature Preserve via Illinois Prairie Path 2.9 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

12. Gary Avenue Bicycle Path 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:11 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking