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 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

2. Lake Minnetonka–Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trai, 4 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 32 min of walking

3. Minnetonka Loop Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

4. Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

5. Minnehaha Creek via Minnetonka Loop Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:33 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walking

6. SE Anderson Lake & Lake Smetana via Cherrywood trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:57 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Lake Smetana–Minnehaha Creek, 6 lakes 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

8. Lake Normandale & Lake Smetana via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:35 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 267 min of walking

9. Bryant Lake–Lake Normandale, 4 lakes 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

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

    1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 80 min of walking

11. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach 3 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car8:04 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 88 min of walking

12. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach & Round Lake Beach via Bryant Lake Park Access 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 3:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:40 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car10:30 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 10:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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