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. SE Anderson Lake via Cherrywood trail 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

3. Bush Lake & Bush Lake Beach 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Staring Lake–Bush Lake, 10 lakes 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car9:37 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Mount Gilboa–Bush Lake Loop, 11 lakes 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

6. Osprey Viewpoint–Goose Nest Pond, 8 lakes 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 49 min of walking

7. Lake Normandale–Lake Smetana, 3 lakes 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Bryant Lake–Lake Normandale, 4 lakes 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

10. Blue Lake 3.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 1 min before dark.

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

11. Minnesota Valley State Trail 3.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 1 min before dark.

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

12. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car8:04 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 88 min of walking