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. McCullom Lake & Petersen Park Beach via McHenry County Prairie Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:44 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:57 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 218 min of walking

2. Camelback Kame–McCullom Lake, 3 beaches 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:49 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:51 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 207 min of walking

3. McHenry County Prairie Trail 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 53 min of walking

4. Glacial Park Conservation Area Viewpoint 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 76 min of walking

5. Moraine View Viewpoint & McHenry County Prairie Trail 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:52 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 9:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 329 min of walking

6. Hebron Trail 4.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

7. Lake Elizabeth 5.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 10.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Purple Trail 10.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. White Trail 10.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:34 PM

    1. Be there6:34 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Dark7:22 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 10.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:34 PM

    1. Be there6:34 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Dark7:22 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Long Lake & Chain O' Lakes Bike Path via Chain O'Lakes Bike Path 10 mi away

    Leave by 5:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car8:24 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 151 min of walking