Events
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Juneteenth Freedom Ride
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and Black Girls Bike. 16 miles roundtrip. Bring your own bike and helmet.
Morning Solstice Paddle
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Celebrate the summer solstice by paddling Busse South Pool. Ages 5 & up.
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 […]
Thursdays in the Field
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Don't be Rude, It's A Brood: Cicadas Connect to nature through fun inquiry-based activities. Different theme/activities each month. Drop in.
American Indian Summer Solstice
Schiller Woods-West • Schiller Park, IL 60634Join the American Indian Center of Chicago to learn the importance of the solstice to the Native community; enjoy traditional […]
Canceled Summer Solstice Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the longest day of the year during a 1.5-mile walk.
Nature Book Club “Entangled Life” by M. Sheldrake
Forest Park Public Library • Forest Park, IL 60130Join us for a lively discussion of “Entangled Life” by Merlin Sheldrake, a book about fungi and forests. Ages 18 […]
Campfire Stories
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Enjoy the lingering daylight on the longest day of the year with stories, songs and s’mores around the campfire.
Canceled Solstice & Cicada Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480The time has finally come to celebrate the emergence of the 17-year cicadas! Join us on the summer solstice as […]
Fridays in the Field
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Discover something new in nature with University of Illinois Extension Volunteers.
Intro to Birding
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a stroll looking for birds while we learn basic ID tips. All skill levels welcome.
Summer Pride Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate Pride Month with a casual nature hike to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of early summer. Family program.
Self-Love in Nature
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Week 1: Create a Self-Love Kit (Jun 8) Week 2: Peace and Drum Circle (Jun 22) Week 3: Sensory Experience […]
Forest Photography
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Use your camera to observe nature on a guided photography walk. All levels and camera types. Ages 13 & up.
Camping 101: Overnight!
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Part workshop, part campout! Learn camping skills, then spend the night.
Pond Dippin’
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover tiny creatures in our ponds.
Cub Scout Adventure Series
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480A nature-related scout adventure will be offered and achieved. Jun 23: Wolf Level Jul 28: Bear Level Aug 25: Webelos […]
Serpent Safari
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062A program all about snakes.
Outdoor Education Camp
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Discover nature and enjoy experiences through exploration and recreation. Group 1: Ages 6-8 Group 2: Ages 9-11
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Nature Discovery Field Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Children ages 10-11 will explore the outdoors through fishing, birdwatching, insect discovery, treasure hunts and hands-on animal encounters. Snacks included. […]
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories, crafts, and activities. Children ages 3 to 6 with adult.
Stories and Music in Nature
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an exciting Children's Concert! Enjoy stories from Barrington Area Library, music from Alloy Horns and nature-themed activities […]
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Walk & Talk Hike
Teason’s Woods • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Night of Nature Play
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Open play, star gazing and s’mores.
Firefly Night Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Watch and learn about the glowing insects of twilight on a guided stroll.
Gone Fishin’ Day Camp
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Spend a day investigating fish and their habitat, making fish crafts, and learning how to cast. On the second day, […]
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.