All Events

Events in Southwest Cook County

Camping 101

Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452

Join us for a workshop covering basic camping skills. All ages.

Nature Open Mic Night

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Perform songs and poetry or relax and enjoy the live performances while overlooking the slough at sunset.

Camping Without Limits

Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

In partnership with Adaptive Adventures, join an overnight event geared for individuals with physical disabilities, their families and friends.

Art Fair

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Join us for the Annual Arts and Craft Fair! Art of all styles will be sold by artists inspired by […]

Autumn Prairie Walk

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

Walk with a naturalist around the prairie, enjoy the blooming flowers with the sea of grass. Ages 18 & up.

Awe of Nature

Midlothian Meadows • Cook County, IL 60428

Join us in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and community organizations for the annual Awe of Nature Festival! The festival […]

Red Gate Woods

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

Enjoy an indoor presentation by former Argonne scientist, Dave Dolak. Afterwards, drive to Red Gate Woods for a guided walk […]

World Mental Health Day

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Let the healing powers of nature help ease your mind and stimulate your senses on this fall color walk.

Breast Cancer Awareness

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

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, chat with Advocate Health Care to learn more about breast cancer.

Walk & Talk

Willow Springs Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]

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.

Spectacular Partial Solar Eclipse

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Watch this rare natural phenomenon here!

Fitness Hike

Orland Grassland • Cook County, IL 60467 (near Orland Park)

Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]

Fall Color Walk

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

Look for the changing colors on a 3.4-mile walk. Color scavenger hunts for the little ones provided.

Fall Color Walk

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Learn why trees drop their leaves and the cause of leaf color change.

Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k

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

In partnership with the Village of Palos Park, this 5k/10k trail race takes you through the forest preserves.

“The Magic Stump” Film Screening

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

“The Magic Stump” is a documentary short that tells the story of an Illinois tree stump that’s attracted a phenomenal […]

Camping 101

Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Join us for a workshop covering basic camping skills. All ages.

Evening at a Nature Center: Teen Exploration Day

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Observe the ambassador animals, hike a trail, and warm up by a fire with hot chocolate. Ages 13 & up.

Día de los Muertos

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

In celebration of Día de los Muertos, stop inside to learn about Mesoamerican tradition and view our alter dedicated to […]

ENTICE workshop: Coyote Track

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

In partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this workshop will focus on coyote ecology and behavior related to […]

Birds in Autumn

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Visit the bird feeding stations and hike along a nature trail to observe birds during the fall season.

Book Discussion: “Braiding Sweetgrass”

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

Join us for a book discussion about “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Queen Quest

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

Where do bumble bee queens overwinter? Join us on a search for dormant queens.

Crafternoon

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

Let nature inspire your creativity. Join in on various nature-themed arts and crafts projects. Hosted at Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion.

Fossil Quarry Tour

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

Learn about Chicago’s ancient history through indoor fossil presentations followed by a visit to the fossil reserve quarry.

Folktale Under the New Moon

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Join us for a “scary” folktale recited by a LaGrange Park Library librarian during a walk under the darkest day […]

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.