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

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

2. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 1 min before dark.

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

3. Private Utility Drive 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. McHenry County Prairie Trail 2.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:32 PM

   1. Be there6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Dark7:20 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Longmeadow Trail 1 mi away

   Be there by 6:32 PM

   1. Be there6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Dark7:20 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Fox River Trail 1.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:32 PM

   1. Be there6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Dark7:20 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. South Lake & McHenry County Prairie Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walking

8. Burr Oak–Lake Braewood, 3 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 37 min of walking

9. Gooseberry–The Woods, 3 sights 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 38 min of walking

10. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 1.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:46 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Meyer Drive 3.9 mi away

    Be there by 6:32 PM

    1. Be there6:32 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Dark7:20 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Cary Lake & Brown Trail 4.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint