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 1.9 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

2. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 1.9 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

3. Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point & Private Utility Drive 2.3 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

4. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail 2.7 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

5. Poplar Creek Spur via Poplar Creek Yellow Unpaved Trail 2.7 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

6. Penny Road Pond 0 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

7. Beverly Lake & Penny Road Pond 0.3 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

8. Galvin's Lake & Beverly Lake 0.3 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

9. Bode Lake–Poplar Creek Paved Trail, 3 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car9:05 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:05 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 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:05 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:05 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 · 70 ft climb · 57 min of walking

11. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 2.7 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

12. Mulberry & Fox River Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:16 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking