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–Prairie Crossing Pond 2, 6 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 169 min of walking

2. Davis Lake–Schreiber Lake, 6 lakes 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:19 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 266 min of walking

3. Minear Lake–North Bay, 5 lakes 1.7 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

4. Old School Yellow Trail via North Shore Bike Path 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:46 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 93 min of walking

5. Des Plaines River Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 69 min of walking

6. North Bay–Dog Training Pond, 8 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car9:33 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.9 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 295 min of walking

7. Prairie Crossing Pond 2–Prairie Crossing Pond 3, 4 lakes 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 29 min of walking

8. The Lake at Independence Grove–Minear Lake, 7 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:09 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 123 min of walking

9. Liberty Lake via Des Plaines River Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 130 min of walking

10. Minear Lake Beach–Old School Blue Loop, 3 sights 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Old School Yellow Trail Loop 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walking

12. Old School Pink Loop & Old School Yellow Trail 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 3 min before dark.

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