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. Minnesota Valley State Trail 1.9 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

2. 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

3. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.7 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

4. SE Anderson Lake via Cherrywood trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 83 min of walking

5. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.9 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

6. Bush Lake & Bush Lake Beach 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 106 min of walking

7. Staring Lake–Bush Lake, 10 lakes 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:39 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 273 min of walking

8. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.1 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

9. Lake Normandale–Lake Smetana, 3 lakes 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 129 min of walking

10. Bryant Lake–Lake Normandale, 4 lakes 3 mi away

    Leave by 4:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:49 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car9:22 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 238 min of walking

11. Mount Gilboa–Bush Lake, 6 lakes 0 mi away

    Leave by 4:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:52 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car9:16 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 230 min of walking

12. Blue Lake 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 1 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint