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 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

2. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0 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

3. Fox River Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 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 — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

4. Bluestem Trail 3.4 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

5. Blazing Star Trail & Bluestem Trail 3.4 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

6. Catfish Pond–Horsetail Pond, 3 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 136 min of walking

7. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 0 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

8. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 0 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

9. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 4.4 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

10. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail 5.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

11. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:21 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 1 min before dark.

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

12. Private Utility Drive 6.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:26 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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