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 0.7 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 0.6 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. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 6.6 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. Purple Trail 6.6 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. White Trail 6.6 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. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 6.6 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. Lake Elizabeth 3.7 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 5 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 9.4 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. Geneva Lake–Ceylon Lagoon Loop, 3 lakes 8.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

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

    Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 0 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

11. Echo Lake & White River State Trail 13.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:42 PM
    5. Dark7:22 PM

    Back at your car by 7:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 66 min of walking

12. Blue Trail–Orange Trail Loop, 4 sights 10.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:20 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 21 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

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