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. French Park Beach–Bassett Creek Regional Trail, 3 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 4:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:23 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 241 min of walking

2. Northwood Lake–French Park Beach, 3 beaches 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 41 min of walking

3. Crane Lake–Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trai, 4 sights 3.3 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

4. Back 40–Sweeney Lake, 12 lakes 1.3 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

5. Westwood Lake–Utah Pond, 3 lakes 1.3 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

6. Edward Lake–French Park Beach, 4 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:27 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.0 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 252 min of walking

7. Lake Camelot–French Park Beach, 5 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   4.9 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 245 min of walking

8. Snyder Lake–French Park Beach, 3 beaches 2 mi away

   Leave by 3:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car10:28 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 10:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.4 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 373 min of walking

9. Medicine Lake–Eagle Lake, 4 lakes 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car9:00 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 199 min of walking

10. Eagle Lake–Pike Lake, 3 lakes 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:37 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 151 min of walking

11. Bass Lake & Northwood Lake via Bassett Creek Regional Trail 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car8:38 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 154 min of walking

12. Parkers Lake–French Park Beach, 3 beaches 2 mi away

    Leave by 5:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car9:08 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 211 min of walking