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. Meadowlark Trail via North Central DuPage Regional Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

2. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 192 min of walking

3. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:22 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 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 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 52 min of walking

5. East Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:53 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

6. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 91 min of walking

7. Mallard Lake–Mallard Lake Trail, 3 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Meadowlark Trail & West Branch DuPage River Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

9. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

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

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 98 min of walking

10. Mulberry–Pickerel Lake, 6 lakes 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:57 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Head back7:05 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 66 min of walking

11. Mallard Lake Bicycle Trail 2.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Head back7:05 PM
    4. At your car7:58 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

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

    2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 106 min of walking

12. Bluestem Trail 3.4 mi away

    Be there by 6:30 PM

    1. Be there6:30 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Dark7:18 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:18 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead