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. Blue Viewpoint–Palmer Creek, 3 sights 0 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

2. Purple Trail 0 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

3. White Trail 0 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

4. Freedom Lake via Red Trail 0 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. Gander Mountain–Gander Mountain Forest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 summits 5.8 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

6. McHenry County Prairie Trail 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

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

7. Lake Elizabeth 4.4 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. Hebron Trail 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:56 PM
   3. Head back7:11 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:24 PM

   Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 58 min of walking

9. Wolf Lake–Urban Pond Loop, 4 lakes 10.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset6:55 PM
   3. Head back7:10 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:23 PM

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

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 74 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Retriever Pond–Stick Pond, 5 lakes 7.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:05 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:40 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Stick Pond–Cigar Pond, 3 lakes 7.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:31 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Head back7:10 PM
    4. At your car7:15 PM
    5. Dark7:23 PM

    Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 8 min before dark.

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

12. Cigar Pond 7.9 mi away

    Be there by 6:35 PM

    1. Be there6:35 PM
    2. Sunset6:55 PM
    3. Dark7:23 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:23 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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