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 1.1 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. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 135 min of walking

3. Pickerel Lake–Catfish Pond, 4 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 91 min of walking

4. Fox River Trail 1.1 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

5. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 68 min of walking

6. Bluestem Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 62 min of walking

7. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 2.1 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

8. Creekbend Trail via Randall Road Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 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.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 51 min of walking

9. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.4 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

10. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 1.8 mi away

    Leave by 4:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:48 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 5.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:57 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:57 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.

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

12. 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