Events
Busse Lake Outdoors Day & Fishing Derby
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)The whole family is invited for a day of outdoor fun! Free fishing derby, tree climb, nature play, animal encounters, […]
Juneteenth Celebration
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate freedom, family and country with various activities, presentations, performances and exhibits highlighting Black history, arts and culture.
MagiCicada Fest
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate the biggest party in 17 years! Make some noise with Brood XIII as you enjoy scheduled walks, presentations, exhibits, […]
Wellness in the Woods: Senior Fitness
Beaubien Woods • Chicago, IL 60827Get active outdoors with Gigi’s Fitness at Flatfoot Lake.
Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Rainbow Families
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate Pride Month and learn about different types of family arrangements in the animal kingdom.
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Come join us for a nature-based art activity. Ages 3-6 w/adult
The Un-buried Treasure Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Pick up a treasure map then decode the clues along the trails to find the un-buried treasure.
Father’s Day Ramble
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a summer walk.
Cicada Sensory Walk
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Experience periodic cicadas through sound, sight and touch on a guided walk.
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Nature Explorer Camp
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover the plants and animals of the preserves through exploration, games and crafts. Ages 7-11. Registration opens April 6 at […]
Nature Explorer Camp
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover plants and animals through exploration, games, and crafts. Ages 7 to 11.
Summer Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of summer in Native American culture while participating in various activities. All ages. Presented with Trickster Cultural Center.
Canceled Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for an evening of tagging and releasing to learn about our birds.
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.
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.
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
Sign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
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.