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. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 0.1 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

2. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

3. Bode Lake–Poplar Creek Paved Trail, 3 sights 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car9:03 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 9:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 235 min of walking

4. Mallard Lake–Mallard Lake Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:02 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:38 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 181 min of walking

5. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 3.2 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

6. West Branch DuPage River Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 195 min of walking

7. Poplar Creek Brown Unpaved Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 57 min of walking

8. North Central DuPage Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 121 min of walking

9. Crabtree Trail 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

10. Private Utility Drive 6.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:12 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 37 min of walking

11. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 6.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:19 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Beverly Lake & Penny Road Pond 4.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:14 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint