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. Penny Road Pond 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Beverly Lake & Penny Road Pond 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

3. Galvin's Lake & Beverly Lake 3 mi away

   Leave by 4:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:08 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 240 min of walking

4. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 1.9 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

5. Mulberry & Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 2.6 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

6. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 145 min of walking

7. 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

8. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 4 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

9. Private Utility Drive 4.1 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

10. Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point & Private Utility Drive 4.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:14 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 8 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail 4.4 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

12. 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