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 Prior Lake & Mystic Lake via Big Woods Regional Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 9:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 233 min of walking

2. Mystic Lake 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car9:29 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 9:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 251 min of walking

3. Big Woods Regional Trail 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 5 min before dark.

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

4. Tahpah to Scenic Heights Drainage Way Trail 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 5 min before dark.

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

5. Twin Ponds 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car9:37 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

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

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

6. Spring Lake–Mystic Lake, 4 lakes 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 145 min of walking

7. Riley Lake Park Beach via Donahue Drive 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:12 PM
   3. Head back7:27 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 11 min before dark.

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

8. Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 5 min before dark.

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

9. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:40 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:13 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car8:05 PM
    5. Dark7:40 PM

    Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:40 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

12. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:40 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking