Events
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 […]
Kids’ Fest
Wampum Lake • Cook County, IL 60476 (near Thornton)Embrace the great outdoors and the wonders of nature. Featuring various community partners offering fishing, canoeing, archery and more.
Wellness in the Woods: Zumba
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Groove in the grove with Gigi’s Fitness.
Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Red, White and…Black?
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a walk to search for local woodpeckers and learn about their amazing traits.
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.
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! […]
Bug-a-Palooza
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about the amazing diversity of insects as we catch and release them.
Flickering Fireflies
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Discover why fireflies glow in the dark before setting out on a 1-mile adventure where we will catch and release […]
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Wilderness Adventure Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Children ages 12-14 will learn essential wilderness skills including forest navigation/hiking, fire building and aquatic recreation. We'll have other fun […]
Field Science Workshop: Earth Science & Geology of NE Illinois
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Through indoor instruction and intensive field learning, you will develop familiarity with Silurian and glacial geology, fossils of northeastern Illinois, […]
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
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 […]
Adaptive Adventures: Without Limits – Recreation for All!
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Embrace adventure through rock climbing, cycling and kayaking opportunities specially tailored for people of all ages with a primary physical disability. […]
Thursdays in the Field
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Take a Pond Dip: Water Animal Discovery Connect to nature through fun inquiry-based activities. Different theme/activities each month. Drop in.
Insect Fest
Cummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for this all-things-insect event! Go on a bug hunt, experience an insect petting zoo, explore bugs through yoga […]
Learn to Fly Fish: On the Water
Horsetail Lake • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)We’ll review casting and other aspects of fly fishing, then we’ll jump into fishing with instruction and tips. Presented by […]
Canceled Sunset Night Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Some of our local wildlife begin their day just as the sun begins to set. Learn about these animals and […]
Fridays in the Field
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Discover something new in nature with University of Illinois Extension Volunteers.
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 […]
Produce in the Preserves
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join us for a farmers' market with limited free produce and workshops about growing food in your community! All Ages.
Bats of the Night
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Learn about these mysterious nocturnal creatures.
Morning Moths
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate National Moth Week. Join us as we head down to Sagawau’s magic porch to see the diversity of moths […]
Fitness Hike
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Dog Days of Summer
Beck Lake • Cook County, IL 60016 (near Des Plaines)Calling all dog lovers! Dog-themed offerings include adoption opportunities, canoe paddles, sniff walks, paw print Olympic medals, pictures, creative reuse […]
Disc Golf Community Day
Schiller Playfield • Chicago, IL 60706Disc Golf Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County have partnered to set up a temporary course at Schiller […]
Moccasin Games
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the American Indian Center’s Cultural Ambassador in a game of chance using “moccasin-tops.” These interactive games are performed with […]
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.