Events in Central Cook County
Central Cook County
- Events
- Central Cook County
Canceled Walk and Talk: Chicago Portage National Historic Site
Chicago Portage National Historic Site • Lyons, IL 60402Walk & Talk hikes are for curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. […]
Woodcock Walk at Wolf Road Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Witness the amazing spring courtship flight of the male woodcock bird.
2nd Annual Trash Bash
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Get inspired to do some spring cleaning at home, and we'll help keep the things you no longer need out […]
Canceled Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Make a simple musical instrument or bring your own and join the jam!
Solar Eclipse Viewing
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about a partial solar eclipse and view the eclipse through a special solar telescope and eclipse glasses (weather permitting).
Fitness Hike
Country Lane Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Goldfinch
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305All skill levels welcome. Materials provided. Ages 15 & up.
Teen Exploration Day: Service-Learning Hours
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634High school students: learn why it’s important to keep natural spaces free of trash. Help pick up litter and earn […]
Bone Appetit in Spanish
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Únase a nosotros durante la hora de comer para aprender sobre los animales embajadores de Trailside. Sin registracion necessario.
Canceled Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Explore the wonders of nature with fellow seniors!
Thursdays In the Field – Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join IL Ext. Master Naturalists for fun nature and inquiry-based activities.
Creative Sustainability Workshop
Possum Hollow Woods • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Make chemical-free cleaning supplies, lavender pouches, and native seed bombs. Ages 10 & up.
Earth Day Cleanup
Jerome Huppert Woods • River Grove, IL 60171Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies provided for check out.
Celebrate Earth Day Activities
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Plant a tree, make your own bird feeder, pick up litter, and more. Family program.
Day Hiking Leadership Training
Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)Calling all teachers, group leaders & youth educators! Our Day Hiking Leadership Training program gets youth and groups of all […]
Earth Day Cleanup
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies provided for check out. […]
Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Nature Book Club: “An Immense World” by Ed Yong
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join a lively discussion of this book about animal senses. In partnership with Forest Park Public Library. Ages 18 & […]
Spring Ephemerals Walk
Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525Guided walk to see colorful wildflowers. Ages 18 & up.
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Spring Festival
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy interactive programs, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, kid’s nature crafts, gardening info and much more!
“Endangered Orchids” Art Display Opening
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Meet and chat with noted botanical artist Kathleen Marie Garness and view her recent large drawings of endangered local orchids, […]
Nature Story Trail: “Stick and Stone” by Beth Ferry
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Follow a short trail and read a posted children’s nature story. Then pick up an activity bag with a craft […]
Printmaking Workshop
Evans Field • River Grove, IL 60171Learn basic printmaking techniques using natural materials. Supplies provided. Bring items you wish to decorate.
Teen Exploration Day: Volunteer Day
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Help remove invasive garlic mustard. Supplies provided. Earn Service-Learning hours. Ages 15 & up.
Spring Nature Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
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Sign UpEvent Accessibility
The Forest Preserves is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.