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 Minnetonka LRT Regional 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 — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walking

2. Westwood Lake–Utah Pond, 3 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. SE Anderson Lake–Lake Smetana, 5 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 3:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car10:17 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 10:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.0 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 350 min of walking

4. Lake Smetana–Minnehaha Creek, 6 lakes 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

5. Lake Normandale & Lake Smetana via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:36 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach & UnitedHealth Pond via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 117 min of walking

7. Shady Oak Lake–Minnehaha Creek, 6 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.1 mi to the viewpoint · 297 min of walking

8. Lone Lake–UnitedHealth Pond, 4 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.9 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 248 min of walking

9. Duck Lake–Mud Lake, 5 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:58 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Round Lake–Mud Lake, 6 lakes 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:13 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:13 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:55 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.7 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 187 min of walking

11. Mud Lake–UnitedHealth Pond, 4 lakes 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:12 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:12 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:56 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 189 min of walking

12. Mud Lake–UnitedHealth Pond, 3 lakes 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:54 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.7 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 184 min of walking