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 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 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 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 5 min before dark.

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

3. Twin Ponds 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car9:33 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 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 2.2 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

6. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:01 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 2.6 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. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 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 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 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 3.2 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

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

    Leave by 4:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:11 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:00 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

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

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

11. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 3:56 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:56 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:16 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 10:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    6.9 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 345 min of walking

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

    Leave by 4:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:01 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 10:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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