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. Shady Oak Pond via Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

2. Minnetonka Loop Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

3. Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

4. SE Anderson Lake via Cherrywood trail 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

6. Bryant Lake–Lake Normandale, 4 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:22 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Lake Normandale–Lake Smetana, 3 lakes 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

9. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 88 min of walking

10. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach & Round Lake Beach via Bryant Lake Park Access 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 3:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:32 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 10:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    7.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 375 min of walking

11. Round Lake–Lake Idlewild, 4 lakes 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 3:44 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:27 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 10:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    7.3 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 368 min of walking

12. Lake Idlewild via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:11 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car10:00 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 10:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    6.3 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 313 min of walking