Story Trail
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Walk a short, looped trail and experience a story unfolding with every step. Onsite activities will be provided. Grove 7. […]
Walk a short, looped trail and experience a story unfolding with every step. Onsite activities will be provided. Grove 7. […]
Bring your little one for open nature play time. Enjoy the Dan Ryan Woods Nature Play space while helping your […]
This 2-hour workshop covers camping and outdoor cooking basics. Camping and cooking gear provided. All ages.
Presentation and walk to learn how to identify fireflies.
Presented with River Forest Public Library. We’ll read stories and do a simple nature activity. Weather dependent. Ages 0 to […]
The Forest Preserves District of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension staff are collaborating on this special event. The […]
Discover something new in nature with University of Illinois Extension Volunteers.
University of Illinois Extension Certified Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities. Jul 12 – Grasshoppers Jul […]
Explore the symbolism between art in nature. Create land art, write a poem, and make tie dye using fruits and […]
Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Chicago BIPOC Birders for a morning of crafting, along with some stationary birding […]
Join us as we Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves and a snack provided. Closed toed shoes and long […]
Embrace the great outdoors and the wonders of nature. Featuring various community partners offering fishing, canoeing, archery and more.
Groove in the grove with Gigi’s Fitness.
Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Join us for a walk to search for local woodpeckers and learn about their amazing traits.
Join us for a “before hours” walk to experience the dawning of a new day.
Learn about nature through music, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Jun 9: Cicadas! Jun 12: Cicadas! Jul 10: Snakes! […]
Learn about the amazing diversity of insects as we catch and release them.
Discover why fireflies glow in the dark before setting out on a 1-mile adventure where we will catch and release […]
Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Children ages 12-14 will learn essential wilderness skills including forest navigation/hiking, fire building and aquatic recreation. We'll have other fun […]
Through indoor instruction and intensive field learning, you will develop familiarity with Silurian and glacial geology, fossils of northeastern Illinois, […]
Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Presented with River Forest Public Library. We’ll read stories and do a simple nature activity. Weather dependent. Ages 0 to […]
Embrace adventure through rock climbing, cycling and kayaking opportunities specially tailored for people of all ages with a primary physical disability. […]
Take a Pond Dip: Water Animal Discovery Connect to nature through fun inquiry-based activities. Different theme/activities each month. Drop in.
Join us for this all-things-insect event! Go on a bug hunt, experience an insect petting zoo, explore bugs through yoga […]
We’ll review casting and other aspects of fly fishing, then we’ll jump into fishing with instruction and tips. Presented by […]
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.
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)Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreSign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
Sign UpThe 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.