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. Gander Mountain–Gander Mountain Forest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 summits 0 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Purple Trail 4.9 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

5. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 4.9 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. Long Lake & Chain O' Lakes Bike Path via Chain O'Lakes Bike Path 6.9 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

7. Silver Lake–Park Maintenance Viewpoint, 4 beaches 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:16 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 15 min of walking

8. Silver Lake County Park Viewpoint 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 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 walking

9. Chain O' Lakes Bike Path 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:18 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 3 min before dark.

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

10. Lake Elizabeth 5.7 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. Wolf Lake–Urban Pond Loop, 4 lakes 9.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:56 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:46 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 74 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Timber Lake 10.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:20 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint