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. Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach–Ice Age Trail, 3 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 3:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:59 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car9:48 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Long Lake–Vista Sunset Spot, 5 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 13 min before dark.

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

3. Ice Age Trail via Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Main Horse Trail 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 247 min of walking

4. Vista Sunset Spot–Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Horseriders Camp Access Trail, 3 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 13 min before dark.

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

5. Auburn Lake–Forest Lake Loop, 7 lakes 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car9:34 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 9:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Forest Lake–Little Mud Lake, 3 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 31 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. Brown Trail & Lake to Lake Bike Trail 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 104 min of walking

8. Mauthe Lake–Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach, 4 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 106 min of walking

9. Little Mud Lake–Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Forest Lake Trail Loop, 3 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 94 min of walking

10. Butler Lake–Butler Lake Loop, 3 sights 0.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:19 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

11. Butler Lake Viewpoint–Butler Lake, 3 sights 1 mi away

    Leave by 4:58 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:58 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car8:51 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.7 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 198 min of walking

12. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Crooked Lake Trail Loop & Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Horseriders Camp Access Trail 2.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:24 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 0 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 27 min of walking