Paddling
Pond Paddle
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy an afternoon out paddling. Instruction and equipment provided. Thatcher Glen Pond.
Picnic and Paddle
Beck Lake • Cook County, IL 60016 (near Des Plaines)Experience the Des Plaines River watershed by land and water. After paddling, enjoy yard games and lunch cooked over a […]
History of the Lagoons Paddle
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Explore the uniqueness of the Skokie Lagoons by water. Equipment provided. Group reservations required.
Twilight Canoe at Crabtree
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore natural wonders surrounding a local lake in a canoe at twilight. Ages 12 & up.
Party for the Preserves
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining us for live music from Funkadesi - Funkadesi - Chicago's Award-Winning Afro-Indo-Caribbean Music […]
Hispanic Heritage Month Paddling Celebration
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Bring the celebration outdoors with a paddle in the Calumet region. Free; all ages.
POP UP: End of Season Canoeing
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Squeeze in one more time out on the water before the change in seasons at Powderhorn Lake. All ages.
Fall Paddle Festival
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Participate in a canoe trip, fishing, archery, Dia de los Muertos-themed pumpkin painting, nature play, and Bach-to-Rock music. The rain […]
Fall Paddle Afternoon
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Mark the end of the paddling season with the Forest Preserves and enjoy one last trip on the water! All […]
Learn to Kayak
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking in a comfortable setting and at a relaxed pace. You […]
Des Plaines Canoe and Kayak Marathon
Dam No. 2 Woods • Cook County, IL 60056 (near Mount Prospect)Join the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States! The race begins at Oak Springs Road in Libertyville […]
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.
Little Calumet River Clean-up
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Clean up the river while paddling. Register at lholden@openlands.org.
Without Limits: Adventure for All
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Enjoy climbing and kayaking in this program specially designed for individuals with a primary physical disability or visual impairment.
Beaubien Woods Celebration
Beaubien Woods • Chicago, IL 60827Join us for archery, canoeing, and more.
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 […]
Juneteenth Paddling
Little Calumet Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60827 (near Riverdale)Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail.
Juneteenth Paddling
Little Calumet Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60827 (near Riverdale)Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail.
Morning Solstice Paddle
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Celebrate the summer solstice by paddling Busse South Pool. Ages 5 & up.
Friends of the Forest Preserves: Paddling at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Enjoy an afternoon out paddling.
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 Recreation
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Games & Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Snow Sports
- Storytelling
- Sustainability
- Restoration
- 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
Sign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
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.