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. Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:43 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.7 mi to the viewpoint · 320 ft climb · 291 min of walking

2. Minnesota River–Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint, 3 sights 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 3:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car10:01 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 10:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 310 ft climb · 329 min of walking

3. Treetop Trail 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walking

4. Alimagnet Lake 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 65 min of walking

5. Blackhawk Lake 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 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 · 60 ft climb · 36 min of walking

6. Greenleaf Woods–Blackhawk Lake, 3 groves 1 mi away

   Leave by 4:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car9:46 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.7 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 290 min of walking

7. Frog Swamp–Birch Pond, 3 lakes 1.1 mi away

   Be there by 6:44 PM

   1. Be there6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Dark7:34 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:34 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. East Thomas Lake via Big Rivers Regional Trail 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:33 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 70 min of walking

9. Fish Lake–Hay Lake, 3 lakes 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 39 min of walking

10. Big Rivers Regional Trail Loop 1.2 mi away

    Be there by 6:44 PM

    1. Be there6:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Dark7:34 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:34 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Big Rivers Regional Viewpoint via Big Rivers Regional Trail 1.6 mi away

    Be there by 6:44 PM

    1. Be there6:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Dark7:34 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:34 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Gun Club Lake–Hillside Viewpoint, 3 sights 1.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Head back7:19 PM
    4. At your car8:15 PM
    5. Dark7:33 PM

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

    2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 110 min of walking