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 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 39 min of walking

2. McCarthy Lake 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

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

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

3. Hay Lake–Schwanze Lake, 3 lakes 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

4. Schwanze Lake 0.8 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 — 12 min before dark.

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

5. Holland Lake–Thomas Lake, 6 lakes 0.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:48 PM

   1. Be there6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Dark7:38 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:38 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Gerhardt Lake & Frog Pond 1.7 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 — 12 min before dark.

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

7. Thomas Lake–Frog Swamp, 4 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

8. Carlson Lake–Frog Swamp, 4 lakes 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 31 min of walking

9. Jensen Lake–Thomas Lake, 8 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 183 min of walking

10. River to River Greenway 3 mi away

    Be there by 6:48 PM

    1. Be there6:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Dark7:37 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:37 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway 3 mi away

    Leave by 4:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:21 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car9:50 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.8 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 294 min of walking

12. Highline Trail 3 mi away

    Leave by 3:50 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:50 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:21 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 10:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    7.0 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 356 min of walking