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 mi away

   Leave by 5:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:05 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Lake via North Almond Road 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

3. Minear Lake–North Bay, 5 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 0 min before dark.

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

4. Sky Zone–Old School Blue Loop, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

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

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

5. North Shore Bike Path 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

6. Robert McClory Bike Path 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 161 min of walking

7. Patton Pond–Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve Beach, 4 beaches 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Middlefork Greenway 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

9. Des Plaines River Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

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

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 69 min of walking

10. North Bay–Dog Training Pond, 8 lakes 0 mi away

    Leave by 4:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:01 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car9:31 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 9:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Prairie Crossing Pond 2–Prairie Crossing Pond 3, 5 sights 1.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:42 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car8:52 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 215 min of walking

12. The Lake at Independence Grove–Minear Lake, 7 lakes 0 mi away

    Leave by 5:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car8:07 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

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

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