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 2.7 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 · 53 min of walking

2. Fox River Trail 2.6 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

3. Bluestem Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walking

4. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 148 min of walking

5. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 136 min of walking

6. Randall Road Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

7. Chicago Great Western Railway & North Ring Route 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Chicago Great Western Railway 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:40 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 107 min of walking

9. Thornwood Retention Path 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

10. Norris Woods Nature Preserve & Fox River Trail 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:37 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

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

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

11. Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 5.9 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

12. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 4.7 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