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 1.9 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

2. Lake Elizabeth 0 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

3. Camelback Kame via McHenry County Prairie Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:59 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 217 min of walking

4. Hebron Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 58 min of walking

5. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 4.8 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

6. Purple Trail 4.8 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

7. White Trail 4.8 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. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 4.8 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. Gander Mountain–Gander Mountain Forest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 summits 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:20 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

10. McCullom Lake & Petersen Park Beach via McHenry County Prairie Trail 4.6 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

11. Glacial Park Conservation Area Viewpoint 5.1 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

12. Long Lake & Chain O' Lakes Bike Path via Chain O'Lakes Bike Path 9.2 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