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  • S'mores over an open campfire.

    Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree

    Weekly Wellness Programming
    Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646

    Join us for an immersive, family-oriented outdoor event that recreates the spirit of a Chicago Voyagers expedition. Learn new skills like knot tying or low […]

    Free – $25 • Registration Required
  • Children at a Trunk or Treat event for Halloween.

    Trunk or Treat

    Featured
    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with candy!

    Free
  • A forested landscape displaying fall colors.

    Forest Therapy

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Join us for a guided, meditative walk to connect back to nature and to ourselves. Led by an Illinois Master Naturalist. Ages 18 & up. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • people entering the Sand Ridge Nature Center building in South Holland

    Cornhusk Doll and Storytelling Workshop

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    This workshop will be centered on Indigenous teachings related to land and connection. Participants will engage in creating corn husk dolls and experience traditional storytelling.

    Free • Registration Required
  • hikers at River Trail Nature Center in fall

    The Un-Haunted Forest

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children wearing Halloween costumes outdoors.

    Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of individuals outdoors during an adaptive cycling demonstration.

    Share the Trails: Cycling Pit Stop

    LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630

    Get your helmet fit, tires inflated, bike checked and learn about trail safety. Presented with Ride Illinois. Grove 4.

    Free
  • A women reading a book aloud at a nature center event.

    Yoga and Storytime

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A telescope photo of a full moon taken from the Palos Preserves.

    Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Empowerment

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    An evening designed to empower, connect and inspire us. Led by certified forest therapy guide Gayle Byck. Cost: $10/person. Ages 18 & up.

    $10 • Registration Required
  • Participants from Misericordia - Heart of Mercy engage in an informative and interactive session that showcases a variety of animals native to Cook County.

    Wildlife Connections

    Wildlife Connections
    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.

    Free
  • A musician playing a guitar outdoors.

    Little Red Rocks

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Perform or listen to music and poetry during open-mic night.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walks

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for an afternoon stroll.

    Free
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Hike, Read & Write

    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join a naturalist for a hike, followed by a poetry writing workshop. Presented with Poets & Patrons.

    Free
  • a great horned owl in a tree at Crabtree Nature Center

    Owl Prowl

    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a person using string, nails and a slice of tree trunk to make art at Rolling Knolls Pavilion

    Nature’s Art Box

    Nature’s Art Box
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Explore the wild side of creativity! Kids ages 3–6 with an adult can enjoy hands-on nature-inspired art and activities. Supplies provided.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person interacting with an indoor rock climbing wall.

    Fall Open Climb

    Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452

    Scale the indoor climbing wall! Participants must be over 40lbs. Adult supervision and waivers required. Accessible climbing equipment available.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Astrology photograph highlighting the night sky filled with stars.

    Cheers to Nature

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

    Enjoy a relaxing evening with an environment-themed lecture from a naturalist. Accessible building. BYOB. Ages 21 & up.

    Free
  • A night landscape with a full moon shining amongst an indigo sky.

    Night at the Museum

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, exploration of the 1876 mansion, live musical performances, and the strange wonders lurking in the night woods. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • children roasting marshmallows at Trailside Museum

    Owl-oween Bash

    Featured
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories and festive fun. Costumes encouraged.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a volunteer carrying cut brush

    Ecological Restoration Weekend

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Help restore Sagawau’s diverse ecosystems by removing invasive plant species.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children at a pumpkin hunt

    The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!

    Free

  • An array of flags on display outdoors.

    Nation of Nations

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Trailside is hosting an exhibit celebrating tribal diversity of contemporary Indigenous Communities whose ancestral homelands are the Great […]

    Free
  • Children at a pumpkin hunt

    The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!

    Free
  • a painting of a northern cardinal

    Nature Journaling

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Express yourself and the world around you! Learn how to create a nature journal with an art instructor.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person at a Day of the Dead event.

    Día de los Muertos Craft

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Decorate a sugar skull to celebrate Day of the Dead. While supplies last.

    Free
  • A person birding outdoors in the fall.

    Waterfowl Watch

    Bird Walk
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Let’s walk out to our wetlands to see migrating waterfowl. Ages 13 & up.

    Free
  • group of people kneeling around sweetgrass garden

    Garden Day

    Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120

    Want to get your hands dirty? Help us grow the Trickster Cultural Center gardens! Call 847-301-2090 for more info.

    Free
  • Participants from Misericordia - Heart of Mercy engage in an informative and interactive session that showcases a variety of animals native to Cook County.

    Wildlife Connections

    Wildlife Connections
    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.

    Free
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Senior Fitness Walk

    Senior Fitness Walk
    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of children at an indoor event.

    Wee Wandering Wednesdays

    Wee Wandering Wednesdays
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]

    Free
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Chair Yoga

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Explore gentle postures, breathwork, meditation and deep relaxation with Karen Fotopoulos, a registered yoga teacher from Discover Yoga with Karen. 18 and up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Children’s Yoga

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Discovering yoga through story, song and various yoga poses that will engage the use of imagination and all the senses. Program provided by Karen Fotopoulos, […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Fall Color Walks

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for an afternoon stroll.

    Free
  • S'mores over an open campfire.

    Stars, Stories & S’mores

    Featured
    LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630

    Listen to stories, take a night hike, make s’mores and more. Presented with the American Indian Health Services Center. Grove 2.

    Free
  • A group of people surrounding a campfire and roasting marshmallows.

    Pride Night

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Enjoy an evening at the nature center with s’mores around the campfire. This is a welcoming event for LGBTQ2S+ individuals and allies to connect, unwind, […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A child fishing.

    Fishing Derby

    Horsetail Lake • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Join the Village of Palos Park and the Forest Preserves for a fun family day of fishing.

    Free
  • group of people kneeling around sweetgrass garden

    Gratitude Gathering

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    A reflective event on gratitude, sharing cultural teachings about thankfulness. Presented with the American Indian Center.

    Free
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Nature Wellness Walk

    Lansing Woods • Cook County, IL 60438 (near Lansing)

    Immerse yourself and reconnect with nature and all the beauty it has to offer! Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led by certified forest […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • exterior of the Sand Ridge Nature Center building

    Calumet Heritage Day

    Featured
    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Explore the Calumet Region’s heritage with guided walks, historic skill demos, and programs celebrating native flora and fauna.

    Free
  • A group of Day Hiking Leadership Training participants hold up their certifications.

    Day Hiking Leadership Training

    Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)

    For teachers/youth educators! This training gives you all the tools to take groups out into the preserves for the day.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people standing near a body of water during sunrise along a forested trail.

    Sunrise Hike

    Sunrise Hike
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day. Gates and […]

    Free
  • Two people birding with binoculars in hand.

    Bird Walk

    Bird Walk
    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join a naturalist as we look for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events. Led by John Elliot from […]

    Free
  • two children playing on a log at River Trail Nature Center

    GPS Scavenger Hunt

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. All ages.

    Free • Registration Required