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 2.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Meadowlark Trail via North Central DuPage Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 10 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 52 min of walking

5. Silver Lake–McKee Marsh, 9 lakes 3.2 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

6. East Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

7. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 91 min of walking

8. McKee Marsh–White Pine Pond, 4 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

9. Great Western Trail 3.3 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

10. Timber Lake via Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 0.5 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

11. Meadowlark Trail & West Branch DuPage River Trail 0.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:20 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:20 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 1.3 mi away

    Leave by 4:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:09 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car9:33 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 9:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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