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. Round Lake Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.2 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

2. 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

3. Minnesota Valley State Trail 2.9 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

4. Riley Lake Park Beach via Donahue Drive 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:39 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 11 min before dark.

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

5. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 3.4 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

6. Lake Minnewashta–Lake Ann Beach, 4 beaches 2.2 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

7. SE Anderson Lake & Lake Smetana via Cherrywood trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car9:01 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 193 min of walking

8. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1.5 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

9. Bush Lake & Bush Lake Beach 3.3 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

10. Staring Lake–Bush Lake, 10 lakes 0 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

11. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1.4 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

12. Lake Normandale–Lake Smetana, 3 lakes 1.5 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