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. Moraine View Viewpoint & Ridgefield Trace 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car9:16 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 253 min of walking

2. Ridgefield Trace 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 125 min of walking

3. South Lake via McHenry County Prairie Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Oak View Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 78 min of walking

5. Moraine View Trail Loop 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

6. Prairie View Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

7. Kettle View Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 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 walking

8. McHenry County Prairie Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 67 min of walking

9. McCullom Lake–Petersen Park Beach, 3 beaches 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:57 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 193 min of walking

10. Cary Lake & Brown Trail 4.6 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

11. Meyer Drive 5.2 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

12. Mulberry 6 mi away

    Leave by 5:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:58 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 98 min of walking