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. Back 40–Sweeney Lake, 12 lakes 3.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:47 PM

   1. Be there6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Dark7:36 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Westwood Lake–Utah Pond, 3 lakes 2.8 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 3.2 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 2.1 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 3.1 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–Mud Lake, 4 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 173 min of walking

7. Shady Oak Lake–Minnehaha Creek, 6 lakes 0.8 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–Mud Lake, 5 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 3:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car10:08 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 10:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.6 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 334 min of walking

9. Perpich Center West Pond–Perpich Center East Pond, 3 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 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 — 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 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 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.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

11. Wirth Lake–Bassett Creek Lagoons, 12 lakes 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:44 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:44 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 — 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 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 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 · 16 min of walking