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. Hidden Falls–Minnesota River, 8 lakes 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:24 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

2. Minnesota River–Coldwater Spring, 4 lakes 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car9:07 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.1 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 211 min of walking

3. Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Viewpoint & Longfellow Beach 0 mi away

   Be there by 6:46 PM

   1. Be there6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Dark7:36 PM

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

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Viewpoint & Longfellow Beach 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Viewpoint & Longfellow Beach 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 45 min of walking

6. Shadow Falls–Winchell Viewpoint, 5 viewpoints 0.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:46 PM

   1. Be there6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Dark7:36 PM

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

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Viewpoint–Ford Dam Scenic Overlook, 5 viewpoints 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 57 min of walking

8. Ford Dam Scenic Overlook–Lower Hidden Falls Drive Viewpoint, 5 viewpoints 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 66 min of walking

9. Falls Passage West 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 29 min of walking

10. Minnehaha Creek–Minnehaha Regional Park Beach, 3 beaches 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:24 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 43 min of walking

11. Lower Hidden Falls Drive Viewpoint–Minnehaha Regional Park Beach, 4 sights 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:21 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:47 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 52 min of walking

12. Minnehaha Regional Park Beach & Hidden Falls Demo Loop 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset7:06 PM
    3. Head back7:21 PM
    4. At your car7:44 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 44 min of walking