Events in Central Cook County
Central Cook County
- Events
- Central Cook County
Wellness 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 60305Nature Play Day
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Help connect your little one with nature during open nature play time. Grove 7.
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.
Nature Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Walk & 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 […]
“Bone” Appétit – Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about our outdoor resident animals during feeding time.
Wellness Walk for Toddlers
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Short, calming nature discovery walk. Ages 2-4 w/adult.
Canceled Foster Family Pond Paddle
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Foster families, connect with other foster families while kayaking on the pond! Instruction and equipment provided.
Cicada-Palooza – Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about periodical (17 year) cicadas! Insect discovery walks, live cicada viewing and more. Family program.
Book Swap
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Bring in your gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! Books can be of any genre and reading […]
Canceled Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Make a simple musical instrument with us or bring your own and join the jam! All ages welcome to join […]
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Storytime & Picnic
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Listen to a nature-themed book read aloud by North Riverside Public Library, followed by an activity. Stay after for a […]
Senior Nature Collaging
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join local artist, Phyllis Frick, in making collages of plants, animals and landscapes. Ages 55 and up.
Nature Wellness Walk
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Reconnect with nature. Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led during a leisurely walk. Grove 6.
Fitness Hike
Sunset Bridge Meadow • River Grove, IL 60171Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Teen Exploration Day: River Kayaking 101
Schuth’s Grove • Cook County, IL 60546 (near Riverside)Learn how to kayak on moving water. Class includes a 3-mile trip down the Des Plaines River. Instruction, equipment, kayaks […]
Nesting Bird Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Senior 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.