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. SE Anderson Lake via Cherrywood trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 83 min of walking

2. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

3. Mount Gilboa–Bush Lake Loop, 11 lakes 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

4. Osprey Viewpoint–Goose Nest Pond, 8 lakes 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 49 min of walking

5. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

6. SW Anderson Lake & Lake Idlewild 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 48 min of walking

7. Fisher Lake–Minnesota Valley State Trail, 3 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:40 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 40 min of walking

8. Neill Lake & Round Lake Beach 3.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:46 PM

   1. Be there6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:06 PM
   3. Dark7:35 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:35 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Goose Nest Pond–Frog Pond Loop, 5 beaches 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:05 PM
   3. Head back7:20 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:34 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking

10. Hyland Lake–Frog Pond, 5 sights 0.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:32 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walking

11. Hill Trail & Hyland Trail 0.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 2 min before dark.

    0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

12. Minnesota River & Hyland Trail via State Corridor Refuge Trail - Wilkie Unit 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:05 PM
    3. Head back7:20 PM
    4. At your car7:27 PM
    5. Dark7:34 PM

    Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 7 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walking

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