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. Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve Sunset Point–Blue Trail Loop, 3 sights 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

2. Orange Trail & Red Trail 0 mi away

   Be there by 6:38 PM

   1. Be there6:38 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Dark7:26 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:26 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Orange Trail & Red Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 102 min of walking

4. Pecatonica Prairie Path 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:19 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Blue Trail–Green Trail, 3 sights 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

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

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 106 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Green Trail–Orange Trail, 3 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Observation Deck & Green Trail 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

8. Jarrett Prairie Nature Preserve Sunset Point–Loop Trail, 3 sights 13.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 56 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. The Dells–Green Trail, 4 sights 13.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:58 PM
   3. Head back7:13 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:26 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 54 min of walking

10. Bridge Loop 13.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset6:58 PM
    3. Head back7:13 PM
    4. At your car7:14 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

    Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

11. Bluff Loop & Orange Trail 13 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset6:58 PM
    3. Head back7:13 PM
    4. At your car7:23 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walking

12. Byron Drag Strip & Loop Trail Loop 13.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
    2. Sunset6:58 PM
    3. Head back7:13 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:26 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint