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 4:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:21 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 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 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 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:04 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 87 min of walking

4. Back 40–Sweeney Lake, 12 lakes 1.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:45 PM

   1. Be there6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Dark7:34 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:34 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Westwood Lake–Utah Pond, 3 lakes 1.3 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

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

   Leave by 4:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:39 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.

   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 4:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car9:23 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 9:23 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 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 3:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car10:26 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 10:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Medicine Lake–Meadow Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Head back7:21 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 62 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Eagle Lake–Pike Lake, 3 lakes 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car8:35 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:35 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 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car8:36 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:36 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 1.9 mi away

    Leave by 4:59 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car9:06 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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