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–Butler Lake, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:45 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car10:00 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 10:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.7 mi to the viewpoint · 290 ft climb · 341 min of walking

2. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Main Horse Trail–Loop 1 Loop, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.7 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 192 min of walking

3. Butler Lake–Butler Lake Loop, 3 sights 3.4 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

4. Butler Lake Viewpoint–Butler Lake, 3 sights 0.2 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

5. Mauthe Lake–Butler Lake, 6 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:20 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car9:28 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 9:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 273 min of walking

6. Greenbush Kettle via Ice Age Trail 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:12 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

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

7. Ice Age Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car8:57 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

   3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 208 min of walking

8. Loop 3–Loop 4 Loop, 3 sights 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 67 min of walking

9. Long Lake–Vista Sunset Spot, 5 sights 4.8 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

10. Kettle Moraine State Forest Beach–Ice Age Trail, 3 sights 4.9 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

11. Auburn Lake–Forest Lake Loop, 7 lakes 6 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

12. Forest Lake–Little Mud Lake, 4 sights 6.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:26 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 32 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint