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. Prairie Crossing Bike Sunset Point–Dog Training Pond, 8 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:50 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 201 min of walking

2. Minear Lake–North Bay, 5 lakes 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:20 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 0 min before dark.

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

3. Sky Zone–Old School Blue Loop, 3 sights 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. North Shore Bike Path 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Patton Pond–Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve Beach, 4 beaches 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Robert McClory Bike Path 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 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 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 146 min of walking

8. Eagle Lake–Conway Park Pond 3, 3 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Miceli Pond–Half Day Pond, 3 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 76 min of walking

10. Middlefork Greenway 1.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car7:11 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Half Day Pond–Ranney Pond, 5 lakes 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:12 PM
    5. Dark7:20 PM

    Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Des Plaines River Trail 1.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:40 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 65 min of walking