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. Fish Lake–Hay Lake, 3 lakes 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 39 min of walking

2. Hay Lake–Schwanze Lake, 3 lakes 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Holland Lake–Thomas Lake, 6 lakes 0.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:46 PM

   1. Be there6:46 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

4. East Thomas Lake & Schwanze Lake via Big Rivers Regional Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:49 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 175 min of walking

5. Schwanze Lake 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. McCarthy Lake 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 74 min of walking

7. Gerhardt Lake & Frog Pond 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Thomas Lake–Frog Swamp, 4 lakes 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Carlson Lake–Frog Swamp, 4 lakes 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

10. Jensen Lake–Thomas Lake, 3 lakes 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 0 min before dark.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 31 min of walking

11. Farquar Lake–Thomas Lake, 5 lakes 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car9:02 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 9:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 202 min of walking

12. Rogers Lake–Thomas Lake, 3 lakes 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:40 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking