Southwest Cook County Events

Southwest Cook County

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

    Fitness Hike

    Fitness Hike
    Yankee Woods • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)

    Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to no stopping or interpretation. 3 […]

    Free
  • a group of volunteers at Wampum Lake. Photo by Xochitl Lopez.

    R.I.P. Stewardship

    R.I.P. Stewardship
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Help us restore native habitats - Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves & snack provided. Closed toed shoes & long pants encouraged. […]

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

    Fall Sunset Stroll

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Soak in the beauty of sunlight filtering through the trees at golden hour.

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

    Night Hike

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Spend an evening walking through nature with a naturalist.

    Free • Registration Required
  • The visitors center at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

    Autumn Stories in Chinese

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories and activities. All ages; under 18 w/ adult.

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

    Fall Color Walk

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Enjoy a leisurely naturalist-led nature hike to view fall color. All ages.

    Free
  • a painting of a northern cardinal

    Nature Watercolor Painting

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

    Enjoy the beauty of nature through watercolor painting. All levels welcome. Supplies provided. Ages 18 & up.

    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 group of people participating in an event outdoors on a trail.

    Fridays in the Field

    Fridays in the Field at Little Red
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities when the buildings are closed.

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

    Dark Sky Gratitude Walk

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Stroll beneath the dark sky and offer gratitude to Mother Nature for this beautiful experience. 2-mile hike

    Free • Registration Required