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 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 108 min of walking

2. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 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 · 53 min of walking

3. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 0.9 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

4. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 0.9 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

5. East Trail 2.5 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

6. Fox River Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

7. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 68 min of walking

8. Bluestem Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 62 min of walking

9. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 98 min of walking

10. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car8:37 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:56 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:56 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car8:49 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 198 min of walking

12. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 5.2 mi away

    Leave by 4:59 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car8:45 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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