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 Trail–Orange Trail Loop, 4 sights 1.6 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. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 21 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Geneva Lake via South Lake Shore Lakefront Path 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

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

3. Como Lake & Duck Lake Nature Trail 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 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 · 25 min of walking

4. White River Trail 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 124 min of walking

5. Cobblestone Road 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Lake Petite & Cobblestone Road Loop 9.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:42 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 67 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. McHenry County Prairie Trail 9.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:20 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 53 min of walking

8. Hebron Trail 8.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

9. Sunset Trail 10.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Camelback Kame via McHenry County Prairie Trail 9.8 mi away

    Leave by 4:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Head back7:07 PM
    4. At your car8:57 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

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

    4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 217 min of walking

11. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 12.4 mi away

    Be there by 6:32 PM

    1. Be there6:32 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Dark7:20 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Purple Trail 12.4 mi away

    Be there by 6:32 PM

    1. Be there6:32 PM
    2. Sunset6:52 PM
    3. Dark7:20 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:20 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead