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. Private Utility Drive 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 1 min before dark.

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

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

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

4. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 192 min of walking

5. Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point & Private Utility Drive 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

6. Beverly Lake & Penny Road Pond 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

7. Galvin's Lake & Beverly Lake 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car9:10 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Penny Road Pond 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 6 min before dark.

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

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

   Leave by 4:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:38 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car9:07 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Poplar Creek Brown Unpaved Trail 3 mi away

    Leave by 6:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 2.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:56 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:56 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car8:49 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 198 min of walking

12. Mulberry & Fox River Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking