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. McHenry County Prairie Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 53 min of walking

2. Glacial Park Conservation Area Viewpoint 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 76 min of walking

3. Hebron Trail 4.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

4. Lake Elizabeth 5.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 9.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Purple Trail 9.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. White Trail 9.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 9.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:36 PM

   1. Be there6:36 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Dark7:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Prairie View Trail 10 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 71 min of walking

10. Gander Mountain–Gander Mountain Forest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 summits 9.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

11. Moraine View Trail 10 mi away

    Leave by 6:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
    2. Sunset6:56 PM
    3. Head back7:11 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:24 PM

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

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 58 min of walking

12. Tamarack View Trail (2.8 mi) 10.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:12 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

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

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

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