Events in Central Cook County
Central Cook County
- Events
- Central Cook County
Access Adventure Multi-Sport Day
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Enjoy cycling and climbing while in this program specially designed for individuals with a primary physical disability or visual impairment. […]
Thursdays in the Field Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in at Trailside on the 3rd Thursday of each month to connect to nature through fun themed activities for […]
Nature Book Club: “The Nature of Oaks”
Forest Park Public Library • Forest Park, IL 60130Discuss this timely and important book by Doug Tallamy. Register: www.fppl.org/
Kolory Jesieni /Fall Color Walk, In Polish
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Z okazji miesiąca pamięci dziedzictwa Polsko-Amerykańskiego zapraszamy na spacer z przewodnikiem po Thatcher Woods. Join us for a guided walk […]
Wellness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and meditative guided nature walk in Thatcher Woods, led by Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer, […]
Nature Navigator
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a fun day packed with interactive outdoor learning experiences led by refugee youth leaders from Refugee Education […]
Day Hiking Leadership Training
Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)For teachers/youth educators! DHLT gives you all the tools to take groups out into the preserves for the day.
Intro to Orienteering
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn the basics of finding your way with maps and baseplate compasses. Ages 8 & up.
Bone Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor animal ambassadors.
Spooky Stories & S’mores
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Families can trick-or-treat through Halloween-themed activity stations. Pumpkin painting, make s’mores & listen to spooky children’s stories. Costumes encouraged!
Nature Story Trail
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail while reading “Thanks to the Animals” by Allen Sockabasin of the Passamaquoddy Nation. Afterwards, stop in […]
Walk and Talk
Arie Crown Forest • Countryside, IL 60525Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Wellness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and meditative guided nature walk in Thatcher Woods, led by Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer, […]
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join the jam or just listen! Make a simple musical instrument from repurposed invasive plants or bring your own instrument. […]
Senior Fitness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join other seniors for a moderately paced, one mile fitness walks in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led by senior Roberta Jannsen, […]
Fitness Hike
Brezina Woods • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Fall Bird Walks
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us on a guided bird walk to see both resident and migratory birds, led by John Elliott of the […]
Lunch with the Raptors
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about Trailside’s outdoor birds of prey as they enjoy their lunch! Family program.
Archery
Brookfield Woods • Brookfield, IL 60513Attend this session to learn the basics of archery. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up.
Wellness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and meditative guided nature walk in Thatcher Woods, led by Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer, […]
Teen Exploration Day: Stewardship
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Help protect our natural areas by collecting seeds or removing invasive species. Equipment provided. Register: bit.ly/3z6U2aZ
Senior Fitness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join other seniors for a moderately paced, one mile fitness walks in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led by senior Roberta Jannsen, […]
Weaving Workshop
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Create a small wall hanging art piece using natural materials. Supplies, instruction provided. Ages 10 & up.
Mnidoons Giizis Oohg (Little Spirit Moon)
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634November is recognized as the “Twelfth Moon of Creation” (a time of healing) by the Ojibwe people. Join the American […]
Fitness Hike
Cermak Woods • Lyons, IL 60534Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Bone Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor animal ambassadors.
Annual Turkey Trot Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk off that extra helping of turkey and stuffing on this annual post-holiday walk.
Feed the Birds
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the best bird foods, feeders, and landscape elements to benefit our resident winter birds. You will even make […]
Event 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.