Events
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010A special program for little naturalists. Read a story, make a craft, and go on an adventure. Ages 3 to […]
Walk & Talk Hike
Wolf Road 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 […]
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, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages […]
Story Trail
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Walk a short, looped trail and experience a story unfolding with every step. Onsite activities will be provided. Grove 7. […]
Camping & Cooking 101
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074This 2-hour workshop covers camping and outdoor cooking basics. Camping and cooking gear provided. All ages.
Night Sky Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Enjoy an evening walk in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world.
Phone-tography 101
Miami Woods • Morton Grove, IL 60053Enjoy a morning in the preserves and learn the basics of photography using a smartphone. Grove 1. (Teen exploration day; […]
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Presented with River Forest Public Library. We’ll read stories and do a simple nature activity. Weather dependent. Ages 0 to […]
Bird Walk
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Fridays in the Field
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Discover something new in nature with University of Illinois Extension Volunteers.
Craftpalooza
National Grove-South • North Riverside, IL 60546Kids, get creative! Help decorate a large canvas with stamps, paint and markers. Presented in partnership with the North Riverside […]
Fridays in the Field
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480University of Illinois Extension Certified Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities. Jul 12 – Grasshoppers Jul […]
Bilingual Community Series/ Serie de la Comunitaria Bilingüe
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join Friends of the Forest Preserves for an early morning adventure to admire the local trees. Únase a Friends of […]
R.I.P. Stewardship
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us as we Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves and a snack provided. Closed toed shoes and long […]
Pedal the Preserves: Ride IL
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Fun, family-friendly bike ride led by experienced guides. Bikes/helmets provided.
A Closer Look: Magnifier and Microscope Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Explore the tiny secrets of the woods as we examine plants and small animals both on our walk and in […]
The Jewels of Mexico
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Did you know there are over 50 species of hummingbirds in Mexico? An indoor presentation about hummingbirds’ legend and cultural […]
Sunrise Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a “before hours” walk to experience the dawning of a new day.
Morning Mugs with a Naturalist
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature conversations with a naturalist. BYO-mug and we’ll provide the beverages.
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Jun 9: Cicadas! Jun 12: Cicadas! Jul 10: Snakes! […]
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Canceled Walk & Talk Hike
Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Story Time in Polish
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Program dla najmłodszych miłośników natury. Z pomocą znanych i lubianych wierszyków poznamy owady, ptaki i inne zwierzęta i poszukamy ich […]
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Jun 9: Cicadas! Jun 12: Cicadas! Jul 10: Snakes! […]
Teen Exploration Day: Archery
Bremen Grove • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)Designed for all teens. Receive instruction from certified staff and try your hand at archery.
Thursdays in the Field
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun inquiry-based activities. Different theme/activities each month. Drop in.
Adaptative Adventures: Kayaking & Climbing
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Embrace adventure through kayaking and rock climbing opportunities specially tailored for people of all ages with a primary physical disability. […]
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.
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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.