Hiking & Walking Events

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  • A night landscape with a full moon shining amongst an indigo sky.

    Night of Nature Play

    Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620

    Scavenger hunt, games and crafts under the glowing night (black) lights.

    Free
  • two people running on a foggy day at Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve

    Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k

    Swallow Cliff Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Race through then pristine Sag Valley Trail System. Presented with Village of Palos Park.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a Forest Preserves staff member leading a group on an Underground Railroad history hike at Sand Ridge Nature Center

    Hike the Freedom Trail: Bus and Walking Tour

    Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827

    Follow the tale of Freedom Seekers through the Calumet Region. Presented with Midwest Underground Railroad Network.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A forested trail displaying fall colors.

    Fall Color Walk

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Guided walk to look for color.

    Free
  • A forested trail displaying fall colors.

    Oak-tober Fall Colors Walk

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Enjoy seasonal color changes and learn about our native oaks. Ages 12 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walk

    Featured
    Palos Park Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Travel through beautiful, wooded preserves as we look for colors of the season. 3.5 miles.

    Free
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Senior Fitness Walk

    Senior Fitness Walk
    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a great horned owl in a tree at Crabtree Nature Center

    Owl Sit

    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Celebrate Birdabilty week with a mobility friendly owl sit. Instead of walking through the woods trying to find owls, we will be waiting in one […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • a great horned owl in a tree at Crabtree Nature Center

    Birding is Accessible: Owl Edition

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Slow-paced accessible stroll to search for owls.

    Free • Registration Required
  • hikers at River Trail Nature Center in fall

    The Un-Haunted Forest

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children interacting with nature at an event in a forest.

    Oak-tober

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join us for a hike to celebrate Oak Awareness Month.

    Free
  • A forested landscape displaying fall colors.

    Forest Therapy

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Join us for a guided, meditative walk to connect back to nature and to ourselves. Led by an Illinois Master Naturalist. Ages 18 & up. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • hikers at River Trail Nature Center in fall

    The Un-Haunted Forest

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children wearing Halloween costumes outdoors.

    Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A telescope photo of a full moon taken from the Palos Preserves.

    Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Empowerment

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    An evening designed to empower, connect and inspire us. Led by certified forest therapy guide Gayle Byck. Cost: $10/person. Ages 18 & up.

    $10 • Registration Required
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walks

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for an afternoon stroll.

    Free
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Hike, Read & Write

    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join a naturalist for a hike, followed by a poetry writing workshop. Presented with Poets & Patrons.

    Free
  • a great horned owl in a tree at Crabtree Nature Center

    Owl Prowl

    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A photo of Trailside Museum at night, illuminated with spooky lighting for the Halloween season.

    Night at the Museum

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, exploration of the 1876 mansion, live musical performances, and the strange wonders lurking in the night woods. […]

    Free • Registration Required

  • A person birding outdoors in the fall.

    Waterfowl Watch

    Bird Walk
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Let’s walk out to our wetlands to see migrating waterfowl. Ages 13 & up.

    Free
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Senior Fitness Walk

    Senior Fitness Walk
    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walks

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for an afternoon stroll.

    Free
  • S'mores over an open campfire.

    Stars, Stories & S’mores

    Featured
    LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630

    Listen to stories, take a night hike, make s’mores and more. Presented with the American Indian Health Services Center. Grove 2.

    Free
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Nature Wellness Walk

    Lansing Woods • Cook County, IL 60438 (near Lansing)

    Immerse yourself and reconnect with nature and all the beauty it has to offer! Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led by certified forest […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • exterior of the Sand Ridge Nature Center building

    Calumet Heritage Day

    Featured
    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Explore the Calumet Region’s heritage with guided walks, historic skill demos, and programs celebrating native flora and fauna.

    Free
  • A group of people standing near a body of water during sunrise along a forested trail.

    Sunrise Hike

    Sunrise Hike
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day. Gates and […]

    Free
  • Two people birding with binoculars in hand.

    Bird Walk

    Bird Walk
    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join a naturalist as we look for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events. Led by John Elliot from […]

    Free
  • two children playing on a log at River Trail Nature Center

    GPS Scavenger Hunt

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.

    Free • Registration Required
  • two children playing on a log at River Trail Nature Center

    GPS Scavenger Hunt

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a group learning orienteering at Dan Ryan Woods

    Map and Compass

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Learn how to use a map and compass for navigation, then practice on a 1.5-mile walk.

    Free
  • a pond surrounded by tall grass and trees with a large rock on the edge

    Fossil Quarry Tour

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Learn about fossils of the Chicago region from geologist, Dave Dolak, followed by a 1.5-mile walk to visit Sagawau’s fossil quarry.

    Free • Registration Required
  • two children playing on a log at River Trail Nature Center

    GPS Scavenger Hunt

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Monday Morning Mood Booster

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Fight the Monday blues and join us for a walk in the woods. Ages 18 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Two people birding with binoculars in hand.

    Bird Walk

    Bird Walk
    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Join a naturalist as we look for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events.

    Free
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fitness Hike

    Fitness Hike
    Yankee Woods • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)

    Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to no stopping or interpretation. 3 […]

    Free
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Forest Therapy Walk

    Forest Therapy
    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Enjoy a mindful meditation and guided forest therapy walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteers.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people standing near a body of water during sunrise along a forested trail.

    Fall Sunset Stroll

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Soak in the beauty of sunlight filtering through the trees at golden hour.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Astrology photograph highlighting the night sky filled with stars.

    Night Hike

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Spend an evening walking through nature with a naturalist.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walk

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Enjoy a leisurely naturalist-led nature hike to view fall color. All ages.

    Free
  • A person birding outdoors in the fall.

    Waterfowl Watch

    Bird Walk
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Let’s walk out to our wetlands to see migrating waterfowl. Ages 13 & up.

    Free
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Senior Fitness Walk

    Senior Fitness Walk
    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A large tree displaying vivid fall colors.

    Photography Walk

    Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)

    Enjoy a guided walk to photograph and view seasonal nature. For all levels and camera types.

    Free
  • A group of people participating in an event outdoors on a trail.

    Fridays in the Field

    Fridays in the Field at Little Red
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities when the buildings are closed.

    Free
  • An owl sitting atop a fence pole.

    River Trail Nightlife: Owl Prowl

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A guided walk on our trail to search for local owls. Ages 8 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • S'mores over an open campfire.

    Stars, Stories, and S’mores

    Featured
    Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620

    Bring your family and friends to enjoy a night under the stars. Participants can explore the night sky through a telescope and other interactive experiences, […]

    Free
  • An owl sitting atop a fence pole.

    River Trail Nightlife: Owl Prowl

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A guided walk on our trail to search for local owls. Ages 8 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A forested landscape displaying fall colors.

    Forest Therapy

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Join us for a guided, meditative walk to connect back to nature and to ourselves. Led by an Illinois Master Naturalist. Ages 18 & up. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A night landscape with a full moon shining amongst an indigo sky.

    Beaver Moon Sound Bath

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join Navraaz Kaur Basati from Wandering Paths on this immersive nature walk and sound bath.

    Free • Registration Required