Teen Exploration Day: Teen Pond Paddle
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Teens are invited to enjoy kayaking on Thatcher Glen Pond. Parents, take a stroll on a surrounding trail while your […]
Teens are invited to enjoy kayaking on Thatcher Glen Pond. Parents, take a stroll on a surrounding trail while your […]
Families, enjoy an evening out paddling. Instruction, equipment and kayaks provided.
Join the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States! Race begins at Oak Springs Road in Libertyville and […]
Canoe and kayak while helping clean the Little Calumet River.
Canoeing, archery, art making, games and nature exploration.
In partnership with Openlands, experience the beauty of the Little Calumet River and learn about the Underground Railroad, the birth […]
Celebrate Openlands’ 60th anniversary by paddling the African American Heritage Water Trail on the Little Calumet River! Take a guided […]
Celebrate Openlands’ 60th anniversary by paddling the African American Heritage Water Trail on the Little Calumet River! Take a guided […]
Individuals with physical disabilities and their friends and families can explore nature through adaptive cycling, paddling, rock wall climbing and […]
Canoe on Flatfoot Lake to explore local birds. Canoes and equipment provided.
Paddlers of all skill levels can experience nature by exploring these waterways. Equipment provided. Timed paddles. Ages 5 & up. […]
Fishing, canoeing, archery and more! Canoe slots limited.
Enjoy a doggy canoe paddle, nature walk, paw print painting and more! Dogs must be pet/person friendly and remain on […]
Learn canoeing basics, try new skills and help keep Powderhorn Lake clean. Equipment provided. (Programa ofrecido en Español.)
Join the Friends of the Chicago River in an exclusive after-hours moonlit paddle through the Skokie Lagoons. Ages 8 & […]
Learn how to kayak on moving water during this 3-mile paddle. Instruction, equipment and shuttle provided. Ages 13 & up.
Enjoy an afternoon out paddling. Instruction and equipment provided. Thatcher Glen Pond.
Experience the Des Plaines River watershed by land and water. After paddling, enjoy yard games and lunch cooked over a […]
Explore the uniqueness of the Skokie Lagoons by water. Equipment provided. Group reservations required.
Explore natural wonders surrounding a local lake in a canoe at twilight. Ages 12 & up.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining us for live music from Funkadesi - Funkadesi - Chicago's Award-Winning Afro-Indo-Caribbean Music […]
Bring the celebration outdoors with a paddle in the Calumet region. Free; all ages.
Squeeze in one more time out on the water before the change in seasons at Powderhorn Lake. All ages.
Participate in a canoe trip, fishing, archery, Dia de los Muertos-themed pumpkin painting, nature play, and Bach-to-Rock music. The rain […]
Mark the end of the paddling season with the Forest Preserves and enjoy one last trip on the water! All […]
This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking in a comfortable setting and at a relaxed pace. You […]
Join the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States! The race begins at Oak Springs Road in Libertyville […]
Foster families, connect with other foster families while kayaking on the pond! Instruction and equipment provided.
Clean up the river while paddling. Register at lholden@openlands.org.
Enjoy climbing and kayaking in this program specially designed for individuals with a primary physical disability or visual impairment.
Join us for archery, canoeing, and more.
Learn how to kayak on moving water. Class includes a 3-mile trip down the Des Plaines River. Instruction, equipment, kayaks […]
Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail.
Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail.
Celebrate the summer solstice by paddling Busse South Pool. Ages 5 & up.
Enjoy an afternoon out paddling.
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.
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)Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreSign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
Sign UpThe 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.