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. Potawatomi Woods–Indian Creek, 3 groves 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 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 · 35 min of walking

2. Indian Creek–Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Bike Path, 3 sights 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 77 min of walking

3. Prairie Wolf Slough & Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Bike Path 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:53 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 91 min of walking

4. Miceli Pond–Half Day Pond, 3 lakes 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 76 min of walking

5. Anthony Adams tree–Half Day Pond, 5 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

6. Sky Zone–Half Day Pond, 3 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 75 min of walking

7. Birch?–Half Day Pond, 6 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 164 min of walking

8. Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Bike Path 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 71 min of walking

9. Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Bike Path & Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Bike Path 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 82 min of walking

10. Half Day Pond–Ranney Pond, 5 lakes 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:12 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Blue Trail & Yellow Trail via Des Plaines River Trail 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:41 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 65 min of walking

12. Minear Lake Beach & Half Day Pond via Des Plaines River Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:10 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 125 min of walking