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. Gavin Woods Pond 2 via Skokie Valley Bikeway 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

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

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 96 min of walking

2. Sky Zone–Old School Blue Loop, 3 sights 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Eagle Lake–Conway Park Pond 3, 3 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Patton Pond–Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve Beach, 4 beaches 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 160 min of walking

5. Minear Lake–North Bay, 5 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Robert McClory Bike Path 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:17 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 148 min of walking

7. Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve Beach–Patton Pond, 4 beaches 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 146 min of walking

8. North Shore Bike Path 3.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:30 PM

   1. Be there6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Dark7:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire Bike Path & Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Bike Path 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

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

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 82 min of walking

10. Anthony Adams tree–Half Day Pond, 5 sights 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:52 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

    Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 95 min of walking

11. Birch?–Half Day Pond, 6 sights 2 mi away

    Leave by 5:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Head back7:05 PM
    4. At your car8:27 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

    Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 164 min of walking

12. Miceli Pond–Half Day Pond, 3 lakes 2 mi away

    Leave by 5:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

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

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 76 min of walking