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. Big Woods Regional Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Tahpah to Scenic Heights Drainage Way Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Twin Ponds 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car9:32 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 266 min of walking

4. Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

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

   Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

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

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

6. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 77 min of walking

7. Spring Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 91 min of walking

8. Mystic Lake & Jeffers Wildlife Pond 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 87 min of walking

9. Upper Prior Lake & Mystic Lake via Big Woods Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Lake Idlewild via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 4:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car9:58 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    6.3 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 313 min of walking

11. Lower Prior Lake & Sand Point Beach 0.7 mi away

    Leave by 4:04 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:04 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car9:59 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 9:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 320 min of walking

12. Sand Point Beach 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 4:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:26 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car9:37 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 9:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 276 min of walking