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. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 77 min of walking

2. Minnesota Valley State Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Tahpah to Scenic Heights Drainage Way Trail 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 89 min of walking

5. Mystic Lake Loop via Big Woods Regional Trail 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 70 min of walking

6. Jeffers Wildlife Pond 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 23 min of walking

7. Big Woods Regional Trail 1.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:47 PM

   1. Be there6:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Dark7:37 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:37 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Jeffers Pond & Sand Point Beach via Carriage Hills Park Path 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

9. Arctic Lake via Big Woods Regional Trail 2.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:48 PM

   1. Be there6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Dark7:37 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:37 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Spring Lake Regional Trail 2.3 mi away

    Be there by 6:47 PM

    1. Be there6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Dark7:37 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:37 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Sand Point Beach Loop 2.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:43 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 45 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Upper Prior Lake & Howard Lake Road via Spring Lake Regional Trail 2.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
    2. Sunset7:08 PM
    3. Head back7:23 PM
    4. At your car7:30 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 7 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking

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