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. 400th Street 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Lake Helen–Tedesco Connector Trail, 3 sights 13.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:54 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 166 min of walking

3. Elwood the Gnome–Lake Helen, 4 sights 13.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 161 min of walking

4. Tedesco Connector Trail & Vet Med Trail 13.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 137 min of walking

5. Munn Woods–Pammel Woods, 3 groves 12 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 72 min of walking

6. Walnut Grove & Tedesco Connector Trail 14.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. University Boulevard Trail 14.7 mi away

   Be there by 6:57 PM

   1. Be there6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Dark7:45 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Heart of Iowa Nature Trail 22.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 116 min of walking

9. High Trestle Trail 22.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:17 PM
   3. Head back7:32 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:45 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Big Creek Lake 26.9 mi away

    Be there by 6:57 PM

    1. Be there6:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:18 PM
    3. Dark7:45 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. 720th Avenue 27.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:56 PM

    1. Be there6:56 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Dark7:44 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:44 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Hickory Grove Lake & Hickory Grove County Park Beach Loop 24.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:38 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
    2. Sunset7:16 PM
    3. Head back7:31 PM
    4. At your car7:50 PM
    5. Dark7:44 PM

    Back at your car by 7:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint