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 6:09 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

2. Bluestem Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 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 6:27 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

4. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:22 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:25 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:25 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 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Randall Road Trail 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 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 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking

8. Thornwood Retention Path 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

9. Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur 6.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 5.1 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

11. Great Western Trail 5 mi away

    Leave by 5:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:01 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 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 4.6 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