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. McHenry County Prairie Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 53 min of walking

2. McCullom Lake & Petersen Park Beach via McHenry County Prairie Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:41 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Camelback Kame–McCullom Lake, 3 beaches 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Head back7:05 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark7:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Hebron Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

5. Lake Elizabeth 1.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:30 PM

   1. Be there6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Dark7:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 6.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:30 PM

   1. Be there6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Dark7:18 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:18 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Purple Trail 6.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:30 PM

   1. Be there6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Dark7:18 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:18 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. White Trail 6.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:30 PM

   1. Be there6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Dark7:18 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:18 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 6.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:30 PM

   1. Be there6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:50 PM
   3. Dark7:18 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:18 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Glacial Park Conservation Area Viewpoint 4 mi away

    Leave by 5:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Gander Mountain–Gander Mountain Forest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 summits 7.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Head back7:05 PM
    4. At your car7:16 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

    Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

12. Moraine View Viewpoint & McHenry County Prairie Trail 9.9 mi away

    Leave by 3:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:45 PM
    2. Sunset6:50 PM
    3. Head back7:05 PM
    4. At your car9:48 PM
    5. Dark7:18 PM

    Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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