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 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 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 5:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 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 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 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 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 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 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 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 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 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 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 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 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 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 5:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:05 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 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 1.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:46 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:46 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 4:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:41 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:41 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 6:32 PM

    1. Be there6:32 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Dark7:20 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead