Events
POP UP: End of Season Canoeing
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Squeeze in one more time out on the water before the change in seasons at Powderhorn Lake. All ages.
Awe of Nature
Midlothian Meadows • Cook County, IL 60428Join us in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and community organizations for the annual Awe of Nature Festival! The festival […]
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Festival
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634In partnership with the American Indian Center of Chicago, join us to celebrate Native American culture with a mini-Powwow. Make […]
Not Your Typical Pumpkin Party
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Why should the kids have all the fun? An adults-only pumpkin decorating night. Materials & refreshments provided. Ages 21 & […]
Red Gate Woods
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy an indoor presentation by former Argonne scientist, Dave Dolak. Afterwards, drive to Red Gate Woods for a guided walk […]
Close Encounters of the Tree Kind
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Oak trees tower high along the Giant’s Hollow Trail. Learn about what makes them special.
World Mental Health Day
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Let the healing powers of nature help ease your mind and stimulate your senses on this fall color walk.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, chat with Advocate Health Care to learn more about breast cancer.
Accessible Bird Sit
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Join a naturalist and discover how many bird species can be seen from a sit spot.
Walk & Talk
Willow Springs Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Without Limits: Recreation for All!
Bunker Hill • Niles, IL 60714Individuals with physical disabilities and their friends and families are invited to explore nature through adaptive cycling and rock wall […]
Camping 101
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Join us for a workshop covering basic camping skills. All ages.
Forest Therapy Walk
Dam No. 1 Woods-East • Wheeling, IL 60090Awaken your senses and renew your bond with the nature and the Preserves. Led by a Certified Forest Therapy guide. […]
Bird painting Step-by-Step: Screech Owl
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint. For both beginners and more experienced artists. All materials provided.
Fall Migratory Bird BioBlitz
Help biologists understand bird populations and species diversity in our area by joining the Fall Migratory Bird BioBlitz! During the […]
Fishing Derby
Horsetail Lake • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Join the Village of Palos Park and the Forest Preserves for a family-fun day of fishing.
Seed Collecting at Wolf Road Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Collect prairie seeds with us and learn about the story of the prairie. Ages 12 & up.
Nature Wellness Walk
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Are you wanting an event to reconnect with nature and explore the beautiful colors of fall? Come to a wonderful […]
Family Fun Day!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Bring the whole family to spend time outside and have fun with activities, a nature scavenger hunt and more.
Spectacular Partial Solar Eclipse
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Watch this rare natural phenomenon here!
Annular Solar Eclipse Viewing Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us (if the sun is shining) to view a partial solar eclipse! We will have special telescope set up […]
Fall Paddle Festival
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Participate in a canoe trip, fishing, archery, Dia de los Muertos-themed pumpkin painting, nature play, and Bach-to-Rock music. The rain […]
Mammal Comparison: Chicagoland and South Korea
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a presentation comparing mammals found in Cook County with some of the mammals found in South Korea.
Geopalooza: Adventures in Geoscience Innovation
Facebook Live from Sagawau Environmental Learning CenterJoin naturalists as they discuss three innovations in earth science, and how they can help us understand our local geoscience.
Sounds Natural: Forest Edition!
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Listen to the hypnotic digital sounds of nature by DJ Q and Bennie while roasting s’mores and hotdogs over a […]
Fall Festival
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate the season with a special day of autumn fun, entertainment, beekeeping demonstrations, pumpkin painting, honey sales, activities and more! […]
Without Limits: Adventure for All
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Individuals with physical disabilities and their friends and families can explore nature through adaptive cycling and rock wall climbing. In […]
Thursdays in the Field: Soil and Geology
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun themed activities for adults and kids. Hosted by Univ of IL Extension volunteers.
Fitness Hike
Orland Grassland • Cook County, IL 60467 (near Orland Park)Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
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.