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 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 53 min of walking

2. Hebron Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 54 min of walking

3. Lake Elizabeth 2 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 6.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Purple Trail 6.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. White Trail 6.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 6.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:34 PM

   1. Be there6:34 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Dark7:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Glacial Park Conservation Area Viewpoint 3.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

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

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

9. Gander Mountain–Gander Mountain Forest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 summits 7.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:54 PM
   3. Head back7:09 PM
   4. At your car7:20 PM
   5. Dark7:22 PM

   Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walking

10. Chain O' Lakes Bike Path 10.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset6:54 PM
    3. Head back7:09 PM
    4. At your car7:18 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:18 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Retriever Pond–Stick Pond, 5 lakes 13.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:03 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 60 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Chain O'Lakes Bike Path 13.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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