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 mi away

   Leave by 5:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:51 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Elwood the Gnome–Lake Helen, 4 sights 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

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

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

3. Tedesco Connector Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Walnut Grove & Tedesco Connector Trail 1.7 mi away

   Be there by 6:54 PM

   1. Be there6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:42 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:42 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. University Boulevard Trail 1.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:54 PM

   1. Be there6:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Dark7:42 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:42 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Munn Woods–Pammel Woods, 3 groves 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 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 9 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

8. High Trestle Trail 10 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

9. 400th Street 13.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:14 PM
   3. Head back7:29 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:42 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Big Creek Lake 14.6 mi away

    Be there by 6:54 PM

    1. Be there6:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Dark7:42 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:42 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Saylorville Lake & Big Creek Lake via Neal Smith Trail 16.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Head back7:29 PM
    4. At your car7:56 PM
    5. Dark7:42 PM

    Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 55 min of walking

12. Big Creek State Park Beach 15.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:14 PM
    3. Head back7:29 PM
    4. At your car8:16 PM
    5. Dark7:42 PM

    Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking