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 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:39 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM — 5 min before dark.

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

2. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:39 PM

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

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

4. Round Lake Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:39 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

5. Lake Minnewashta–Lake Ann Beach, 4 beaches 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:39 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 37 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. SE Anderson Lake–Lake Smetana, 5 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 3:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car10:19 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 10:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.0 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 350 min of walking

7. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

8. Bush Lake & Bush Lake Beach 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Staring Lake–Bush Lake, 10 lakes 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car9:41 PM
   5. Dark7:39 PM

   Back at your car by 9:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1 mi away

    Leave by 6:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:41 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

11. Lake Normandale–Lake Smetana, 3 lakes 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:44 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car8:28 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Bryant Lake–Lake Normandale, 4 lakes 3.2 mi away

    Leave by 4:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car9:24 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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