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. Minnesota Valley State Trail 1.8 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

2. Thunder Canyon via Minnesota Valley State Trail 1.8 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

3. Riley Lake Park Beach via Donahue Drive 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Round Lake Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Hames Way Pond & Round Lake Beach via Donahue Drive 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 3.4 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

7. Kivimaki Pond & Round Lake Beach via Donahue Drive 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:25 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Lake Minnewashta–Lake Ann Beach, 4 beaches 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Head back7:23 PM
   4. At your car7:41 PM
   5. Dark7:37 PM

   Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 37 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

10. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 0.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:39 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

11. Bush Lake–SW Anderson Lake, 10 lakes 1.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:23 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:45 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

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

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 47 min of walking

12. Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area Viewpoint 0.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:25 PM
    5. Dark7:37 PM

    Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 11 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

Show longer hikes too