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, 5 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Leopold Lake–Prairie Crossing Pond 3, 3 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:15 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

3. George's Beach & Sanctuary Pond 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

4. Lake via North Almond Road 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:14 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

5. Davis Lake–Schreiber Lake, 3 lakes 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 137 min of walking

6. Minear Lake–North Bay, 5 lakes 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 0 min before dark.

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

7. North Bay–Dog Training Pond, 8 lakes 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:05 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car9:34 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Prairie Crossing Pond 2–Prairie Crossing Pond 3, 4 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 29 min of walking

9. The Lake at Independence Grove–Minear Lake, 7 lakes 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Liberty Lake via Des Plaines River Trail 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:14 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

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

    2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 130 min of walking

11. Minear Lake Beach–Old School Blue Loop, 3 sights 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:19 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

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

12. Des Plaines River Trail 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:50 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:52 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 87 min of walking