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 2.3 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. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 2.6 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

3. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.9 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

4. SE Anderson Lake via Cherrywood trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 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 2.4 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

6. Bush Lake & Bush Lake Beach 2.2 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

7. Staring Lake–Bush Lake, 10 lakes 0.9 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

8. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2 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

9. Lake Normandale–Lake Smetana, 3 lakes 2.4 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

10. Bryant Lake–Lake Normandale, 4 lakes 2.6 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

11. Mount Gilboa–Bush Lake, 6 lakes 0.3 mi away

    Leave by 4:54 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car9:18 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Blue Lake 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:37 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 7:37 PM — 2 min before dark.

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