Events
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 […]
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a nature-based art activity. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
Celebrate Spring Fest
Cummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate the vernal equinox and the arrival of spring by painting a bird house, learning about seasonal changes, building and […]
Canceled Wilderness Survival: 10 Essentials
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480During this class, you will learn practical tips and strategies that every outdoor traveler should know. We'll cover the 10 […]
Teen Exploration Day: The Botany of Zelda
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Inspired by the Nintendo game, learn how the fictional plants of Hyrule Forest connect to our native plants. Ages 12-17.
Wellness in the Woods: Bike Ride
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Bring your own bike and helmet and join us on a guided ride while learning about who Marshall “Major” Taylor […]
Women’s Wilderness Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate Women’s History Month with a guided walk and learn about women who helped shape the conservation field.
Accessibility Trail Outing
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Join us on a 1.7-mile paved trail with resting points throughout. Perfect for those who use wheelchairs or have limited […]
Muddy Paws Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Let’s search the muddy trails to identify what other animals are using them.
World Water Day: Water Policy for Healthy Ecosystems
Facebook Live from Sagawau Environmental Learning CenterCelebrate World Water Day by focusing on how healthy aquatic ecosystems will benefit all. Enjoy the live stream on Sagawau’s […]
Spring Eggstravaganza
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Celebrate the changing season and learn about Cook County’s wildlife through crafts, themed walks, refreshments and more. Drop-in.
Painting & Papercrafts
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate spring with arts and crafts inspired by the changing season. Ages 18 & up or ages 13-17 w/adult.
Truckin’ Into Spring
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)In partnership with Go Ape Chicago, enjoy the Treetop Nets, a nature obstacle course, and more. Food trucks and vendors […]
Artist as Naturalist
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate Women's History Month by learning how artists made scientific discoveries accessible to society.
Bucket Bug Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Walk through our sugar bush to learn about early spring insects.
Cub Scout Adventure Series
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Programs will address content required to achieve varying levels of nature-related cub scout adventures. Mar 24: Wolf Level Apr 28: […]
Canceled Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Watch this celestial phenomenon unfold into the wee hours of the morning.
Waterfowl Watch
McGinnis Slough • Orland Park, IL 60462Join us as we peer through a spotting scope and watch for migratory waterfowl. Ages 14 & up.
Walk and Talk
Red Gate Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]
Spring Break-OUT Adventure
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy time out of school with activities including archery, nature play, hikes, art, and other fun. Drop-in.
Spring Break Feeding Frenzy
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn what, why and how staff feed the animal ambassadors at the nature center.
Camping 101
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a workshop covering basic camping skills.
Spring Breakout Adventures
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Try a variety of outdoor recreation activities while spending school break in nature. Drop-in.
Postponed Spring Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of spring in Native American culture while participating in various timed activities with Trickster Cultural Center.
Be a Better Birder: Birding and Technology
Zoom PresentationJoin us we introduce you to technology that can be used to enhance your birding experience.
Photography Walk
Maple Lake-East – Mountain Bike Staging Area • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Grab your camera and explore Paw Paw Woods Nature Preserve, one of the highest quality natural areas in the state.
Spring Breakout Adventure
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Explore, discover, and create! Spend your spring break outside with several outdoor recreation activities.
Ecological Restoration Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy the outdoors. Put your muscles to work as you help restore habitat by removing invasive plants. Tools provided. Ages […]
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.