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. Upper Arboretum–Lower Arboretum, 6 groves 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 132 min of walking

2. Lower Arboretum–Lilac Hill, 6 lakes 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walking

3. Turtle Pond–Oxbow Pond, 3 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Oxbow Pond via Carleton Arboretum Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. St. Olaf Natural Lands–Big Pond, 10 lakes 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 48 min of walking

6. St. Olaf Natural Lands Forest Restoration–St. Olaf Natural Lands, 10 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 125 min of walking

7. Mill Towns State Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 50 min of walking

8. CROCT Trail from Walgreens–East River Trail, 3 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

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

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 102 min of walking

9. Basswood Trail–Big Woods Trail, 6 sights 8.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 148 min of walking

10. Fox Trail 9.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:44 PM

    1. Be there6:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Dark7:33 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:33 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Big Woods Trail–Fawn Trail, 5 sights 7.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Head back7:19 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:33 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Big Woods Trail–Maple Trail, 3 sights 8.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Head back7:19 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:33 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint