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 3.1 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. Bluestem Trail 3.1 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

3. Fox River Trail 3.1 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

4. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 3.1 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 3.2 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 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 car7:11 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. Mulberry & Fox River Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

8. Thornwood Retention Path 0.6 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

9. Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 6.8 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

10. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:45 PM

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

11. Great Western Trail 4.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:59 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:43 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 189 min of walking

12. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 4.7 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