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 Geneva Spur 1.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 135 min of walking

3. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 52 min of walking

4. Silver Lake–McKee Marsh, 9 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Be there by 6:35 PM

   1. Be there6:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Dark7:23 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:23 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. North Central DuPage Regional Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

6. East Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:58 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

7. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 91 min of walking

8. McKee Marsh–White Pine Pond, 4 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

9. Great Western Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

10. Timber Lake via Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 0 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

11. Meadowlark Trail & West Branch DuPage River Trail 1.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:24 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Mallard Lake–Mallard Lake Trail, 5 sights 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:10 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car9:35 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 9:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.8 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 289 min of walking