Visitors to the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History will discover displays of live native animals, colorful wildflower gardens, information about local wildlife and their habitats, and more.
On this page:
- Location, Hours & Things to Do
- Trails
- Events
- Fishing at Thatcher Pond
- Field Trips & Hybrid Learning
- History
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Rules
Location, Hours & Things to Do
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Nature Center
- Nature Play
- Accessible Indoor Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Fishing
- Birding Hotspot
- Volunteer Opportunities
- No Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed at most public locations. View accessibility policies.
Hours
Mar - Oct: 9am - 5pm, closed FridaysNov - Feb: 9am - 4pm, closed FridaysClosed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's DayClosures & Alerts
Trails
Miles of unpaved walking trails at Trailside Museum wind through Thatcher Woods' beautiful oak woodlands and floodplain forest.
Surface
UnpavedEstimated Total Length
4.9 milesThings to Do
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Events
Bone Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor resident animals.
Winter Secrets Hike
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305The winter can appear barren of wildlife, but surprisingly so much is […]
New Year’s Resolution Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Fulfill your resolution of being more active by taking a brisk guided […]
Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a winter afternoon on a self-guided hunt for signs of animals […]
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a one-mile, easy-paced walk in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led […]
Story Trail: “Animals in Winter”
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Read a children’s story along a short trail. Afterwards, get an activity […]
Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Cooper’s Hawk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint a 9x12 canvas of a Cooper’s hawk using acrylic […]
Bird and Bagel Bird Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305We’ll observe bird feeder action while noshing on bagels and coffee inside […]
Restoration Workday
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us to help restore the natural community structure of our woodlands, […]
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a one-mile, easy-paced walk in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led […]
Bone Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor ambassador animals.
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Make a simple instrument, or bring your own guitar, fiddle, etc. and […]
Fishing at Thatcher Pond
This 1.5-acre pond, next to the Trailside Museum of Natural History parking lot, is an old oxbow of the Des Plaines River and is prone to flooding. Its fish population is heavily influenced by the river.
Field Trips & Hybrid Learning
Our hybrid learning and field trip offerings allow teachers, parents and youth leaders to use forest preserves and nature centers as an outdoor (or virtual) classroom. Our hybrid learning programs serve kindergarten through 12th grade students and meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), while our field trips serve everyone from pre-K to adult learners.
Contact one of our nature centers or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov for more information or to discuss programs tailored to your learning objectives.
History
Established in 1932, Trailside Museum served as the first public nature education facility for the Forest Preserves.
Trailside Museum of Natural History is set within a historic 1876 mansion. The building has served many purposes through the years including being a residence and even housing two schools. In 1919, the Forest Preserves purchased the building, having already bought much of the surrounding land. The mansion served as the Forest Preserves’ headquarters until 1932, when the Board of Commissioners voted to make it a “trail side” museum displaying “every plant and animal in Cook County, live or mounted, for the education of the public.”
Volunteer Opportunities
Help out at events, restore natural areas and more.
Nature Center Rules
- Pets are not permitted on Nature Center grounds, including the parking lots.
- Nature Centers are unable to accept injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife.
- For your safety and for the protection of natural areas, please stay on marked trails. Trails are for hiking only.
- Bicycles are only allowed in Nature Center parking lots, or at provided bike racks.
- For the benefit of other visitors and wildlife, please maintain respectful noise levels at all times.
- Picnicking is not permitted on Nature Center grounds. An adjacent picnic grove can be opened for pre-registered groups on weekdays.
- Food or drink is not permitted in Nature Center buildings.
- With the exception of water or sports bottles, food and drink are not permitted on Nature Center trails. Please dispose of litter in proper receptacles.
- Collecting of any kind is prohibited, as is the use of metal detectors. The fine for picking wildflowers is $500.
- For the protection of animals and visitors alike, please do not feed the wildlife.
- Be mindful of closing times for trails, the Nature Center building and parking lot.
- Please report safety hazards or suspicious activities to the Nature Center staff.
- Cross-country skiing is not permitted on Nature Center trails.