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

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 32 min of walking

2. Shady Oak Pond via Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail 2.1 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. Minnehaha Creek via Minnetonka Loop Trail 2.1 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

4. Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail 2.3 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

5. Minnetonka Loop Trail 2.9 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

6. Crane Lake–Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trai, 4 sights 3.1 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. Dark7:37 PM

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

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 87 min of walking

7. Westwood Lake–Utah Pond, 3 lakes 2.2 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

8. SE Anderson Lake–Lake Smetana, 5 lakes 2.5 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

9. Lake Smetana–Minnehaha Creek, 6 lakes 0 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

10. Lake Normandale & Lake Smetana via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 0.9 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

11. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach & UnitedHealth Pond via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 2.5 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

12. Shady Oak Lake–Minnehaha Creek, 6 lakes 0.7 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