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. Mystic Lake 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Upper Prior Lake & Mystic Lake via Big Woods Regional Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car9:17 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Big Woods Regional Trail 1.4 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

4. Tahpah to Scenic Heights Drainage Way Trail 1.4 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

5. Twin Ponds 1.8 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

6. Riley Lake Park Beach via Donahue Drive 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 11 min before dark.

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

7. Spring Lake–Mystic Lake, 4 lakes 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.5 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

9. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.5 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

10. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 3 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

11. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:38 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:31 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:31 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 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking