South Cook County
Earth Day
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate Earth Day with themed games, self-guided litter cleanup and more.
Earth Day Birthday
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411You can have your cake and eat it too! Celebrate planet Earth, play party games and better the environment.
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
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.
Sand Ridge Service Days
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us each month as we care for the Sand Ridge Campus with a variety of activities! Earn service-learning hours. […]
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.