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. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

2. High Trestle Trail 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

3. Big Creek Lake 5.7 mi away

   Be there by 6:56 PM

   1. Be there6:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Dark7:44 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:44 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 4 lakes 6 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark7:44 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 160 min of walking

5. Big Creek State Park Beach 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

6. Lake Helen–Tedesco Connector Trail, 3 sights 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 166 min of walking

7. Tedesco Connector Trail 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

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

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 76 min of walking

8. Elwood the Gnome–Lake Helen, 4 sights 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 161 min of walking

9. Walnut Grove & Tedesco Connector Trail 6.7 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

10. Orlabor Gateway Trail 9.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

11. Northwest Lakeshore Drive 9.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

12. Northwest Cherry Creek Lane Loop 9.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:15 PM
    3. Head back7:30 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 7:43 PM — 0 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking