Events in South Cook County
South Cook County
- Events
- South Cook County
Spring Wildflower Walk
St. Mihiel Woods-East • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)Join a staff person as you search for unique spring wildflowers.
Night Hike: Stars and Stories
Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join in and listen to the story "Under the Drinking Gourd" and learn the significance of why reading the stars […]
Frog Survey Night Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Come be a citizen scientist for an evening as we listen to and document our local frogs. Space is limited. […]
Bird Walk
Burnham Prairie • Burnham, IL 60633Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds.
Wildflower Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Come along for a guided walk to explore spring ephemerals in bloom.
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Spring Wildflower Walk
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join a staff person as you search for unique spring wildflowers.
Be a Better Birder: Beginner Field ID
Maple Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Take the skills you learned in the virtual sessions into the Preserves. Bring a chair, as we will be staying […]
Friends of the Forest Preserves: Bird Walk
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Trivia Walk
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Enjoy a self-guided walk while learning about the role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in conservation.
Live Healthy, Discover Nature! Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Venture out on our scenic trails for a 3- to 4-mile hike.
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Woodworking with Invasives
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Repurpose invasive buckthorn into a personalized walking stick. Equipment provided. Ages 17 & up, or ages 10-16 w/adult.
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, movement, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Mar 13: Gold Hunt Apr 10: Butterflies May […]
Teen Exploration Day: Crafternoon
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Use nature to inspire art. Try your hand at a variety of arts and crafts.
World Migratory Bird Day
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for activities dedicated to our feathered neighbors! Bird Walk: 8 am Little Sit: 10 am Bird Feeder Craft: […]
Chicago River Day
Beaubien Woods • Chicago, IL 60827Celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Chicago River Day. Do your part to clean and restore our waterways and the land […]
Zumba in the Woods
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Mother’s Day Mindful Art Program
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us at Sand Ridge Nature Center for our Mother's Day Mindful Art Program. Celebrate mothers and Mother Earth with […]
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Wildcrafting Throughout History
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us on a guided walk to learn about ways people have sustainably and ethically lived off the land throughout […]
Nature Noises
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Relax and enjoy the sounds of nature as we sit around a campfire, tell stories, enjoy s’mores, and take a […]
Nature Block Party
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join us for a day of celebration and exploration as we honor the incredible diversity of life at Eggers Grove.
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
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
- 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.