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. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 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

2. Purple Trail 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. White Trail 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

4. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 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

5. 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

6. McHenry County Prairie Trail 5.8 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

7. Lake Elizabeth 4.4 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. Camelback Kame via McHenry County Prairie Trail 5.8 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

9. Hebron Trail 5.8 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

10. Wolf Lake–Urban Pond Loop, 4 lakes 10.1 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

11. Four Dollar Flowage–Retriever Pond Loop, 9 lakes 7.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car8:47 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

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

    4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 196 min of walking

12. Retriever Pond–Stick Pond, 5 lakes 7.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:03 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 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 · 60 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint