Events
Intro to Mountain Biking
Wolf Road Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Learn and practice riding techniques, including body and pedal position, shifting, braking, climbing, descending, and navigating minor obstacles on the […]
Meet Our Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn more about our flighted ambassador animals and discover their unique adaptations.
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
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.
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 in the natural world. Ages […]
Fridays in the Field
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Discover something new in nature with University of Illinois Extension Volunteers.
Canceled Photography Walk
Maple Lake-East – Mountain Bike Staging Area • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Grab your camera and explore Paw Paw Woods Nature Preserve with us.
Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Teen Exploration Day: Teen Hiking Meet-up
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Spend time with other teenagers in the community, experiencing nature by learning about local plants and animals, and socializing on […]
Insects Behind the Icons: Parasitoids and Xenomorphs
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Parasitoids inspired one of horror’s greatest icons, the xenomorph from the “Alien” franchise. Learn how the ecology of these insects […]
Live Healthy, Discover Nature! Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Venture out on our scenic trails for a guided 3- to 4-mile walk.
Fossil Fun
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Become an amateur paleontologist and learn how to discover fossils in your own backyard while learning about the past. Ages […]
Pond Dip Discovery
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us as we dip our nets in the water and scoop up our discoveries! Equipment provided. Ages 5 to […]
Color Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Nature is more than just green, join us on a 1.4-mile guided walk.
Bats Under a Dark Sky
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Wonder what species of bats live in our area? Using bat monitors, we will seek out these flying mammals while […]
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Young Naturalists Field Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Children ages 8-9 will immerse themselves in nature through hiking, field experiments and hands-on wildlife discovery. Snacks provided. Registration opens […]
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories, crafts, and activities. Children ages 3 to 6 with adult.
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Wee 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 […]
Walk & Talk Hike
Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Jun 9: Cicadas! Jun 12: Cicadas! Jul 10: Snakes! […]
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. […]
Open Nature Play Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Bring your little one for open nature play time. Enjoy the Dan Ryan Woods Nature Play space while helping your […]
Camping & Cooking 101
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452This 2-hour workshop covers camping and outdoor cooking basics. Camping and cooking gear provided. All ages.
Jewels of the Night: Fireflies
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Presentation and walk to learn how to identify fireflies.
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 […]
Forest Preserves Green Team & Conservation@Home Webinar
The Forest Preserves District of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension staff are collaborating on this special event. The […]
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.