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. Crabapple Lake 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

2. Great Western Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 41 min of walking

3. Lambert Lake Nature Preserve & Lambert Lake 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:07 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:52 PM
   3. Head back7:07 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

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

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 64 min of walking

5. Illinois Prairie Path 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

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

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 81 min of walking

6. Round Meadow Lake–Eagle Lake, 3 lakes 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Meadow Lake–Crabapple Lake, 4 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:11 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Big Rock–Eagle Lake Loop, 5 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 48 min of walking

9. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3+4 Loop, 3 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset6:51 PM
   3. Head back7:06 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:19 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 31 min of walking

10. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3 Loop, 3 sights 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:15 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 4 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

11. Rice Lake & Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:05 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:32 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 53 min of walking

12. Eagle Lake–Meadow Lake, 4 sights 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:51 PM
    3. Head back7:06 PM
    4. At your car7:14 PM
    5. Dark7:19 PM

    Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

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