Events in Southwest Cook County
Southwest Cook County
- Events
- Southwest Cook County
Dark Sky Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Walk in an Urban Night Sky Place during the darkest night of the month and search for stars and planets.
Galls: Insect Home-builders
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439For gall-building insects, home is where you make it. Join us for a survey of these cryptic insects.
Fall Color Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join a guided walk to learn about the changes of the season.
Naturalist Choice
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Drop-in for a look at what is happening in nature now.
I am a Scientist
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity as we explore, experiment & make discoveries in the natural world. Ages […]
Camping 101
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 604521.5-hour long workshop covering basic camping skills. All ages.
Little Red Rocks
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Perform or listen to music and poetry during an open-mic night at sunset.
Sagawau Bird Stories
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Are you curious about birds? Enjoy the stories of common and rare birds found at Sagawau and in the Lemont […]
Fishing Derby
Horsetail Lake • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Join the Village of Palos Park and the Forest Preserves for a family-fun day of fishing.
Book Discussion: “Ignition” by M.R. O’Connor
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by exploring cultural views on fire, including Pawnee traditions.
R.I.P. Stewardship
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us as we Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Equipment provided. Ages 17 & up.
Woodworking with Invasives
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Build your own walking stick using buckthorn, an invasive species. Ages 12 & up.
Sunrise Hike
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a “before hours” hike to experience the dawning of a new day.
Sunrise Hike
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a “before hours” hike to experience the dawning of a new day.
Fossil Quarry Tour
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn about Chicago’s ancient history through fossils. Indoor presentations followed by a visit to the fossil reserve quarry.
S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Join us for a nature-inspired adventure for seniors. Ages 55 & up.
Full Moon Nature Walk
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy a night walk on Sagawau trails.
Moon Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Let the full moon be our guide as we walk in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world.
Forest Therapy
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Immerse yourself in nature, fostering mindfulness and wellness with a certified guide. Ages 21 & up.
Naturalist Choice
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Drop-in for a look at what is happening in nature now.
National Take a Hike Day
Country Lane Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Celebrate National Take a Hike Day by hitting the trail with a naturalist on a 5-mile hike.
Little Schoolhouse on the Prairie
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Step back in time and discover the cultural and ecological histories of Mt. Forest Island and prairie conservation.
Introducing Slime Molds
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Is it slime or mold? Come learn about these fascinating and relatively overlooked organisms. Indoor talk with short walk. Ages […]
Qigong & Sound
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join a certified instructor through a series of slow flowing movements, deep measured breaths, and soothing sounds while in a […]
Walk and Talk
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Fire for the Forest
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn about the benefits of prescribed burns and explore the equipment used while we take a 1-mile walk.
Winter Bird Feeding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for a discussion on attracting birds to your yard using feeders and plantings.
Teen Exploration Day: Rock Climbing
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452Come and test your nerves by climbing our rock wall. Adult supervision required. Ages 13 & up.
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.