River Trail Nature Center’s free exhibits, walking trails and onsite nature educators help tell the story of the plants, animals and natural landscapes formed by the Des Plaines River. Learn how to make maple syrup, meet an owl or join a guided hike at all-ages events each week—or just let the kids climb and create at indoor and outdoor play areas.
On this page:
- Location, Hours & Things to Do
- Trails
- Events
- Field Trips & Hybrid Learning
- Nature Notes
- Rules
- Volunteer Opportunities
Location, Hours & Things to Do
River Trail Nature Center
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Nature Center
- Nature Play
- Accessible Indoor Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- 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
- NO ISSUES 4/5/2025: Open during normal hours.
Trails
River Trail Nature Center Trails
Explore the River Trail Nature Center grounds on three walking trails or extend your walk on the Des Plaines River Trail System.
Location: Northbrook
Surface
UnpavedEstimated Total Length
1.7 milesThings to Do
- Service dogs are allowed at most public locations. View accessibility policies.
Hours
Mar - Oct: 8 am - 5 pmNov - Feb: 8 am - 4 pmClosed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's DayClosures & Alerts
- NO ISSUES 4/5/2025: Open during normal hours.
Des Plaines River Trail System
The unpaved Des Plaines River Trail follows its namesake river through more than a dozen forest preserves, allowing visitors to enjoy casual strolls, full-day adventures and anything in between.
Location: Chicago, Des Plaines, Glenview, Melrose Park, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, River Forest, Rosemont, Schiller Park & Wheeling
Surface
Paved & UnpavedEstimated Total Length
28.4 milesHours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- ALERT 07/31/2017 - ?: Trail officially ends on either side of the railroad tracks, just north of Golf Rd. Please do not attempt to cross the railroad tracks on Des Plaines Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Big Bend Lake and Beck Lake.
- ALERT 03/12/2025 - ?: Construction is underway on sections of the Des Plaines River Trail, with repair and upgrade work taking place between Lawrence Ave and Irving Park Rd. To ensure safety during these improvements, trail users should expect intermittent closures and occasional full trail closures as necessary. Additionally, select parking areas and picnic groves at both Robinson Woods-South and Schiller Woods-West (Groves 1-4) will be closed throughout this period. Work is anticipated to continue through fall 2025. Des Plaines River Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Schiller Woods-West. More information >
Events
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals […]
Tails on our Trails
Soak in the fresh air as you and your dog explore and […]
Tails on our Trails
Soak in the fresh air as you and your dog explore and […]
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals […]
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories, crafts and activities. Children ages 3-6 w/adult.
Wildlife Connections
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds […]
Volunteer Workday
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Help us work to make River Trail even better. Ages 10 & […]
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals […]
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals […]
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.
Nature Notes
Floodplain forest, backwater wetlands, oak-hickory woodland, and an ancient remnant of sugar maple-basswood forest make River Trail a mix of habitats for an amazing variety of birds, insects, plants and wildlife.
Visitors can experience this abundance of nature through 1.5 miles of walking trails that wind their way through the preserve.
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.