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. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 0.4 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

2. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 2.4 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

3. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 0.2 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

4. East Trail 0.3 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

5. North Central DuPage Regional Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

6. Mallard Lake–Mallard Lake Trail, 3 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:04 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 181 min of walking

7. Bluestem Trail 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 62 min of walking

8. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 98 min of walking

9. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 68 min of walking

10. Fox River Trail 1.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:17 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

11. West Branch DuPage River Trail 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 4:57 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:57 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:47 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 195 min of walking

12. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:07 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:35 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 173 min of walking