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 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:36 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 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:40 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Deans Lake–Mystic Lake, 3 lakes 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:40 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Round Lake Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:12 PM
   3. Head back7:27 PM
   4. At your car7:29 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

5. Lake Minnewashta–Lake Ann Beach, 4 beaches 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:12 PM
   3. Head back7:27 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

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

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

6. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:40 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

7. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:40 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

8. Blue Lake 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:40 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Welch Lake 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:11 PM
   3. Head back7:26 PM
   4. At your car7:32 PM
   5. Dark7:41 PM

   Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

10. Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area Viewpoint 1.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:29 PM
    5. Dark7:41 PM

    Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 12 min before dark.

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

11. SW Anderson Lake & Lake Idlewild 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset7:11 PM
    3. Head back7:26 PM
    4. At your car7:50 PM
    5. Dark7:40 PM

    Back at your car by 7:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 48 min of walking

12. Lake Susan Preserve Beach & Round Lake Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
    2. Sunset7:12 PM
    3. Head back7:27 PM
    4. At your car7:32 PM
    5. Dark7:41 PM

    Back at your car by 7:32 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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