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. Vista Sunset Spot–Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Horseriders Camp Access Trail, 3 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 13 min before dark.

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

2. Long Lake–Vista Sunset Spot, 5 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:10 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 13 min before dark.

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

3. Forest Lake–Mallard Lake, 6 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 82 min of walking

4. Mallard Lake–Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach, 6 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 158 min of walking

5. Loop 4 & Purple Trail via Ice Age Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 102 min of walking

6. Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach–Ice Age Trail, 3 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 3:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:57 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:47 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 9:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.2 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 315 min of walking

7. Red/Purple Trail & Red/Purple/Green Trail Loop via Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Main Horse Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 104 min of walking

8. Auburn Lake–Forest Lake Loop, 7 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car9:33 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.7 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 289 min of walking

9. Mauthe Lake–Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach, 4 sights 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 28 min of walking

10. Lake to Lake Bike Trail 1.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:23 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 28 min of walking

11. Green Trail & Red Trail Loop via Yellow Trail 1.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

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

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 49 min of walking

12. Red Trail 1.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:21 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 2 min before dark.

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