Events
Weekly Caldwell Woods Wellness Center Programming
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646An exciting new program will take place every Thursday! Check fpdcc.com for weekly offerings including time, age appropriateness, and other […]
Story Trail
Catherine Chevalier Woods • Chicago, IL 60656Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, experience a story unfold along a short trail. A craft is available to take home upon […]
Fall Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of harvest season in Native American culture while participating in various activities. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center. […]
Story Trail
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by experiencing a story unfold along a short trail. A craft is available to take home […]
Thursdays in the Field Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in at Trailside on the 3rd Thursday of each month to connect to nature through fun themed activities for […]
Teen Exploration Day: Paleontology Mystery
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Learn the science behind the study of fossils. Participate in a simulated fossil hunt to shed light on a 12,000-year-old […]
Teen Exploration Day: Crafternoon
Bremen Grove • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)Use nature to inspire art and try your hand at a variety of arts and crafts. Ages 13-19.
Little Red Rocks
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Perform or listen to music and poetry during an open-mic night at sunset.
Teen Exploration Days at Sand Ridge
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us after hours each month for fun activities. Spanish speakers welcome! Ages 13-18.
Food is Medicine: A Small Taste of Native America
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Participate in the American Indian Center's Food is Medicine event with the resident chef, who will showcase a sampling of […]
Fall Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of harvest season in Native American culture while participating in various activities. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center. […]
Fall Equinox Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the coming equinox with a 1.5-mile walk.
River Trail Nightlife: Night Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about nocturnal animals. Register by 9/17. Cost: $5/person. Ages 8 & up.
Party for the Preserves: Litter Clean-up
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010In honor of National CleanUp Day, help care for our natural world. Drop in anytime and pick up supplies for […]
Fall Bird Walks
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us on a guided bird walk to see both resident and migratory birds, led by John Elliott of the […]
National Clean Up Day
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at River Trail and the surrounding preserves and clean up our natural world. Pick up supplies onsite. All […]
Walk and Talk
Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East • Oak Forest, IL 60452Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Latino Conservation Week: Paddle and Clean-up
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Help keep the forest clean and paddle the Calumet Region at Powderhorn Lake. All ages.
Chicago Portage Day
Chicago Portage National Historic Site • Lyons, IL 60402Celebrate this National Historic Site, its cultural significance, and the history of Chicago. Presentations, demonstrations, site tours, games and activities.
Solar Day Drop In
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010View our nearest star with NW Suburban Astronomers.
Fall Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of harvest season in Native American culture while participating in various activities. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center. […]
Wellness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and meditative guided nature walk in Thatcher Woods, led by Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer, […]
Fall Color Ramble-Bilingual
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Come witness the wonderful ephemeral color changes that nature has to offer! 1.5-mile walk, rain or shine. Programa ofrecido en […]
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Camping For All
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Enjoy cycling, climbing, kayaking and camping while you explore beautiful Camp Bullfrog Lake in this program specially designed for individuals […]
One Voyage 5K Run & Walk
Busse Forest-Central • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Help get youth from the Chicagoland area into the outdoors by participating in run fun for the entire family. Register: […]
Accessible Autumnal Equinox Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a talk about the equinox on a short, guided nature walk on a paved trail. ADA Accessible.
Pedal the Preserves
Carl R. Hansen Woods • Cook County, IL 60192 (near Schaumburg)Learn basics, simple maintenance, and safe riding skills then explore the trail. Family-friendly. Loaner bikes upon request to first 15 […]
Drop In Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Banding at Sagawau is in its 27th year. See birds up close while learning about this scientific method.
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.