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 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car9:18 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 253 min of walking

2. Ridgefield Trace 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 125 min of walking

3. Oak View Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

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

4. Moraine View Trail Loop 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

5. Prairie View Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

6. Kettle View Trail 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

7. South Lake & McHenry County Prairie Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walking

8. Kettle View Trail & McHenry County Prairie Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 92 min of walking

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

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Cary Lake & Brown Trail 4.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

11. Meyer Drive 5.4 mi away

    Be there by 6:36 PM

    1. Be there6:36 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Dark7:24 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Mulberry 6.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car8:00 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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