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. Lake Helen–Tedesco Connector Trail, 3 sights 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:54 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 166 min of walking

2. Tedesco Connector Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:09 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 76 min of walking

3. Elwood the Gnome–Lake Helen, 4 sights 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 161 min of walking

4. Walnut Grove & Tedesco Connector Trail 0.6 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. University Boulevard Trail 0 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Munn Woods–Pammel Woods, 3 groves 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 72 min of walking

7. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail 7.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

8. High Trestle Trail 7.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Big Creek Lake 12.6 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:18 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 4 lakes 13.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:18 PM
    3. Head back7:33 PM
    4. At your car8:52 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 160 min of walking

11. Big Creek State Park Beach 13.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car8:20 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

12. Orlabor Gateway Trail 16.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
    2. Sunset7:17 PM
    3. Head back7:32 PM
    4. At your car7:37 PM
    5. Dark7:45 PM

    Back at your car by 7:37 PM — 8 min before dark.

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