Southwest Cook County Events

Southwest Cook County

Events

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  • A group of people working together to start a campfire.

    Camping 101

    Camping 101
    Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!

    Free
  • A person interacting with an indoor rock climbing wall.

    Canceled Fall Open Climb

    Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452

    Scale the indoor climbing wall! Participants must be over 40lbs. Adult supervision and waivers required. Accessible climbing equipment available.

    Free
  • two people running on a foggy day at Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve

    Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k

    Swallow Cliff Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Race through then pristine Sag Valley Trail System. Presented with Village of Palos Park.

    Free • Registration Required
  • the interior of visitor center at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center

    America’s Landscapes: The Palos Preserves

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Learn the geological story of the hilly landscape and some of its special land formations. Oral and ASL presentation.

    Free
  • A Forest Preserves staff member sharing migratory bird information with visitors.

    Meet the Birds

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Stop by to see our birds at mealtime.

    Free
  • A close-up of the bird banding process.

    Bird Banding

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.

    Free
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walk

    Featured
    Palos Park Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Travel through beautiful, wooded preserves as we look for colors of the season. 3.5 miles.

    Free
  • A women reading a book aloud at a nature center event.

    Yoga and Storytime

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • children roasting marshmallows at Trailside Museum

    Forest Tales & Mysteries

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Listen to thrilling horror tales around the bonfire with La Grange Park Library and Gail’s soothing sound therapy. Ages 13 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Yoga

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Bring a yoga mat/towel. Ages 18 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A close-up of the bird banding process.

    Bird Banding

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.

    Free
  • Children interacting with nature at an event in a forest.

    Oak-tober

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join us for a hike to celebrate Oak Awareness Month.

    Free
  • A women reading a book aloud at a nature center event.

    Yoga and Storytime

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A musician playing a guitar outdoors.

    Little Red Rocks

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Perform or listen to music and poetry during open-mic night.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a person using string, nails and a slice of tree trunk to make art at Rolling Knolls Pavilion

    Nature’s Art Box

    Nature’s Art Box
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Explore the wild side of creativity! Kids ages 3–6 with an adult can enjoy hands-on nature-inspired art and activities. Supplies provided.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person interacting with an indoor rock climbing wall.

    Fall Open Climb

    Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452

    Scale the indoor climbing wall! Participants must be over 40lbs. Adult supervision and waivers required. Accessible climbing equipment available.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Astrology photograph highlighting the night sky filled with stars.

    Cheers to Nature

    Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Enjoy a relaxing evening with an environment-themed lecture from a naturalist. Accessible building. BYOB. Ages 21 & up.

    Free
  • a volunteer carrying cut brush

    Ecological Restoration Weekend

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Help restore Sagawau’s diverse ecosystems by removing invasive plant species.

    Free • Registration Required

  • a painting of a northern cardinal

    Nature Journaling

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Express yourself and the world around you! Learn how to create a nature journal with an art instructor.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A child fishing.

    Fishing Derby

    Horsetail Lake • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Join the Village of Palos Park and the Forest Preserves for a fun family day of fishing.

    Free
  • A group of people standing near a body of water during sunrise along a forested trail.

    Sunrise Hike

    Sunrise Hike
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day. Gates and […]

    Free
  • a pond surrounded by tall grass and trees with a large rock on the edge

    Fossil Quarry Tour

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Learn about fossils of the Chicago region from geologist, Dave Dolak, followed by a 1.5-mile walk to visit Sagawau’s fossil quarry.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A women reading a book aloud at a nature center event.

    Yoga and Storytime

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Astrology photograph highlighting the night sky filled with stars.

    Qigong and Urban Stargazing

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Start with grounding Qigong, followed by celestial viewing at an Urban Night Sky Place.

    Free • Registration Required
  • inside the exhibit area of Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center's visitors center

    Everyone in Nature

    Everyone in Nature
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join us for an inclusive sensory-based experience where individuals of all abilities and homeschool learners can explore and connect with nature through hands-on activities. Participants […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    S.E.N.I.O.R.S.

    S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Seniors can deepen their connection to the outdoors with fresh, engaging nature programs offered each month. Ages 55 […]

    Free