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. Riley Lake Park Beach via Donahue Drive 1.8 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 — 11 min before dark.

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

2. Round Lake Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2 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

3. Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.3 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

4. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.3 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

5. Hames Way Pond & Round Lake Beach via Donahue Drive 2.9 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

6. Kivimaki Pond & Round Lake Beach via Donahue Drive 3.1 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

7. Mystic Lake 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 251 min of walking

8. Edenbrook Conservation Area Viewpoint via Donahue Drive 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

9. Hidden Ponds via Donahue Drive 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 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 — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

10. West Duck Lake via Donahue Drive 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car7:31 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

11. Twin Ponds 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 4:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:32 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car9:33 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 9:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 266 min of walking

12. Upper Prior Lake & Mystic Lake via Big Woods Regional Trail 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car9:17 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 9:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.7 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 233 min of walking