South Cook County
Events
-
-
Aztec Dance Performance: La Danza de los Concheros
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Experience a journey into Mexico’s ancient Aztec culture of music, song and dance. Presented with Xochitl-Quetzal Danza Azteca.
Free • Registration Required -
Paddle at Beaubien Woods
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Paddle along the Little Calumet River. All ages. First come, first served.
Free -
Wee Wonders: Fall Colors
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Tuesday Mornings are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe fall migrants visiting Sand Ridge during their journey south for winter.
Free -
Buckthorn Dyeing Workshop
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join Katelyn Patton to learn basics of plant-based dyes while deepening your relationship to local ecology.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Fall Nature Wellness Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Immerse 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 -
Canceled Hike the Freedom Trail: Bus and Walking Tour
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Follow the tale of Freedom Seekers through the Calumet Region. Presented with Midwest Underground Railroad Network.
Free -
Teen Exploration Day: Pond Dipping
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Drop in at the Redwing Trail pond to observe wetland inhabitants and macroorganisms. Geared towards teens & their families.
Free -
-
Restoration Sunday
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Help us improve our wildlife habitat by cutting and removing invasive species. Ages 8 & up. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Tuesday Mornings are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe fall migrants visiting Sand Ridge during their journey south for winter.
Free -
Nature Play Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Help your children connect with nature through stories, art and exploration.
Free -
Owl Prowl
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Introduction to owls followed by a relaxing walk to search for owls.
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves: Acoustics Under the Stars
FeaturedCamp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate the connection between public lands and folk music with performances, a guided walk and hot dog roast. Bring your own instruments and join in […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves: Canoeing
FeaturedPowderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Celebrate National Public Lands Day. Paddle in 10-person canoes with Wilderness Inquiry. All equipment provided. Enjoy fun family activities. 10 am–2 pm: Paddling & family […]
Free • Registration Required -
Forest Therapy
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join 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 -
Tuesday Mornings are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe fall migrants visiting Sand Ridge during their journey south for winter.
Free -
-
Doggie Date Night
FeaturedDan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Calling all dog lovers! Costume dog parade, crafts, photo booth and raffle prizes. Dogs must be friendly and remain on leash.
Free -
Roving Seed-Collecting Team
Schubert’s Woods • Cook County, IL 60475 (near Steger)Join the roving seed-collecting team! You’ll explore different preserves, learn to identify native plants and make a direct impact on habitat restoration efforts. No experience […]
Free • Registration Required -
World Migratory Bird Day Paddle
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Celebrate migratory birds through activities, talks and paddling. Presented with Friends of the Chicago River.
Free • Registration Required -
Paddle at Beaubien Woods
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Registration for paddling is now closed. Guided fishing will be available on land; RSVPs are appreciated. Contact us at 708-771-9632 or [email protected].
Free • Registration Closed -
Live Healthy, Discover Nature! Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Venture out on our scenic trails for a guided 3- to 4-mile walk.
Free • Registration Required -
Green Lake Gardening
Green Lake Woods • Calumet City, IL 60409Restore the garden and help pollinators. No experience needed. Equipment provided. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Tuesday Mornings are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe fall migrants visiting Sand Ridge during their journey south for winter.
Free -
Teen Exploration Day: Archery
FeaturedDan Ryan Woods-Central • Chicago, IL 60620Learn from certified staff and try your hand at archery. Ages 10 & up. Junior archery available for children under 10. Grove 5.
Free -
-
Nature Photography
FeaturedSauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411View fall colors and take pictures during a leisurely walk.
Free -
Mushroom Walk
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join us for a fun fungal walk as we search for mushrooms and learn about these fascinating organisms. DJ/Danielle is a local naturalist and Survey […]
Free -
Nature Wellness Walk
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Immerse 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 -
Hispanic Heritage Paddle
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Join Friends of the Chicago River for bilingual bird paddling and storytelling on the water.
Free • Registration Required -
Wellness in the Woods: Yoga
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join us for a free 60-minute class focused on building stability, flexibility, and relaxation through the practices of breath-work, mindful movement, and meditation. Liz, from […]
Free -
Fall Fungi
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn basics of mushroom identification during guided walk. Ages 18 & up. Ages 13-17 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Sounds Natural Creative Retreat
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Enjoy art, wellness workshops, food and music. Limited camping spaces available for optional overnight. Presented with Sounds Natural.
Free • Registration Required -
Owl Prowl
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Introduction to owls followed by a relaxing walk to search for owls.
Free • Registration Required -
Tuesday Mornings are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe fall migrants visiting Sand Ridge during their journey south for winter.
Free -
Wee Wonders: Owls
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Owl Prowl
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls.
Free • Registration Required
