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. Lake Waconia & Lake Waconia Park Beach 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Festooned Pond - Treated & Gimcrakery Pond - Treated via Dakota Rail Regional Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Raptor Ridge 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 80 min of walking

4. Parley Lake & Raptor Ridge 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Lake 2 & Raptor Ridge 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

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

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 75 min of walking

6. Saunders Lake via Dakota Rail Regional Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 160 min of walking

7. Halstead's Bay & Saunders Lake via Dakota Rail Regional Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 160 min of walking

8. Langdon Lake–Festooned Pond - Treated, 4 lakes 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 113 min of walking

9. Whaletail Lake via Dakota Rail Regional Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark7:38 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 166 min of walking

10. Lake Flanagan via Dakota Rail Regional Trail 3 mi away

    Leave by 5:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:23 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car8:48 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

    Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 170 min of walking

11. Interlaken Woods & Creek 1 mi away

    Leave by 6:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

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

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 32 min of walking

12. Lunsten Lake–Lake 2, 3 lakes 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark7:38 PM

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

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 55 min of walking