Events
Wildflower Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Come along for a guided walk to explore spring ephemerals in bloom.
Teen Shelter Building
Camp Dan Beard • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn all about primitive shelter buildings and build your own. Bring your friends! Ages 12 & up.
Pond Exploration
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Search a pond for invertebrates, amphibians, and other aquatic organisms.
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 […]
Arab American Heritage Month
Rubio Woods • Cook County, IL 60445 (near Midlothian)Join us in celebrating Arab American Heritage Month! Immerse yourself in the rich cultural contributions and diverse heritage of Arab […]
Spring Ephemerals Walk
Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525Guided walk to see colorful wildflowers. Ages 18 & up.
Micro-Safari, Part III
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Our microscopic exploration of the lively waters of Crabtree concludes.
Spring Stroll
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062A walk to highlight the signs of spring.
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: […]
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Wee 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 […]
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. Ages 4 & up w/adult.
Walk and Talk: Black Partridge Woods
Black Partridge Woods • Cook County, IL 60439 (near Lemont)Walk & Talk hikes are for curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. […]
Phone-tography 101
Deer Grove • Cook County, IL 60074 (near Palatine)Enjoy a morning in the preserves and learn the basics of photography using a smartphone. Grove 5.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join the Kenneth Young Center on Friday, May 3rd from 9am to 3pm at Crabtree Nature Center for a FREE […]
Spring Wildflower Walk
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join a staff person as you search for unique spring wildflowers.
Relax & Unwind Sunset Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a Mental Health Awareness Month walk. Ages 18 & up.
Be a Better Birder: Beginner Field ID
Maple Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Take the skills you learned in the virtual sessions into the Preserves. Bring a chair, as we will be staying […]
Camping Leadership Immersion Course
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452Overnight training course to learn skills needed to plan and lead group camping trips. Covers safety, day-hiking, tent and stove-set […]
Friends of the Forest Preserves: Bird Walk
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Trivia Walk
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Enjoy a self-guided walk while learning about the role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in conservation.
Book Swap
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Bring in gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! Any genre and reading level; nature-themed books encouraged. Snacks […]
Touch a Tractor at Crabtree
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Interact with some of the important equipment used to preserve and maintain Crabtree.
Community Powwow: Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646In partnership with the American Indian Health Services Center, St. Kateri Center, Trickster Cultural Center, American Indian Center-Chicago, and the […]
Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Book Discussion: Conversations with Birds
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy a shared love of reading and birds as we discuss this book by Priyanka Kumar.
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.