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 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 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 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Tedesco Connector Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 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 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. University Boulevard Trail 2.6 mi away

   Be there by 6:55 PM

   1. Be there6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Dark7:43 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Munn Woods–Pammel Woods, 3 groves 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 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 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:16 PM
   3. Head back7:31 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

8. High Trestle Trail 11 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

9. 400th Street 12.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:15 PM
   3. Head back7:30 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:43 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Big Creek Lake 15.6 mi away

    Be there by 6:56 PM

    1. Be there6:56 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Dark7:44 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:44 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 4 lakes 16.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car8:50 PM
    5. Dark7:44 PM

    Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 160 min of walking

12. Big Creek State Park Beach 16.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car8:18 PM
    5. Dark7:43 PM

    Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking