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 3.4 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 — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walking

2. Westwood Lake–Utah Pond, 3 lakes 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 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 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 3:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car10:15 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 10:15 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 6:27 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

5. Lake Normandale & Lake Smetana via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 2.5 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

6. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach & UnitedHealth Pond via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 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 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:48 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.1 mi to the viewpoint · 297 min of walking

8. Lone Lake–UnitedHealth Pond, 4 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Perpich Center West Pond–Perpich Center East Pond, 3 lakes 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Perpich Center East Pond & Luce Line Regional Trail 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:29 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

11. Wirth Lake–Bassett Creek Lagoons, 12 lakes 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:23 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Schaper Pond–Spring Pond, 9 lakes 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:29 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking