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. Cleary Lake & Big Woods Regional Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 113 min of walking

2. Blind Lake 1.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:47 PM

   1. Be there6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Dark7:36 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Lower Prior Lake & Sand Point Beach 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 84 min of walking

4. Sand Point Beach Loop 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 45 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Jeffers Pond & Sand Point Beach via Carriage Hills Park Path 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

6. Mystic Lake & Twin Ponds 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 89 min of walking

8. Twin Ponds 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

9. Hass Lake–Twin Ponds, 3 lakes 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 125 min of walking

10. Upper Prior Lake & Mystic Lake via Big Woods Regional Trail 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:04 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:06 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 87 min of walking

11. Deans Lake–Quarry Lake, 3 lakes 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:10 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

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

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 94 min of walking

12. Lake Marion–Cleary Lake, 4 lakes 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:06 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 91 min of walking