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. Central Loop Trail (0.5mi) Sunset Point & Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point Loop 1.5 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

2. Helm Woods Forest Preserve Sunset Point & Private Utility Drive 1.5 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

3. Private Utility Drive 1.6 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

4. Meyer Drive 3.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Cary Lake & Brown Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:20 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

6. McHenry County Prairie Trail 3 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Galvin's Lake & Beverly Lake 2.7 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

8. Fox River Trail 0.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Longmeadow Trail 0.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. South Lake & McHenry County Prairie Trail 3 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 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 · 24 min of walking

11. Burr Oak–Lake Braewood, 3 sights 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:15 PM

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

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

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

12. Fox River–Mulberry, 4 sights 3.3 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