Events
Nature Book Club: “The Nature of Oaks”
Forest Park Public Library • Forest Park, IL 60130Discuss this timely and important book by Doug Tallamy. Register: www.fppl.org/
Moon Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Let the full moon be our guide as we walk in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world.
Evening Jack O’Lantern Ramble
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a self-guided walk on our candlelit pumpkin trails.
Teen Exploration Day: Bonfire
Camp Dan Beard • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us for a spooky night in the woods. Enoy a bonfire with s’mores, listen to scary stories and search […]
Kolory Jesieni /Fall Color Walk, In Polish
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Z okazji miesiąca pamięci dziedzictwa Polsko-Amerykańskiego zapraszamy na spacer z przewodnikiem po Thatcher Woods. Join us for a guided walk […]
Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help protect our natural areas by collecting seeds or removing invasive species. Equipment provided. Ages 8 & up w/ adult. […]
Fall Paddle Festival
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Embrace the fall season with nature-based activities on and off the water. Participate in a canoe trip, fishing, archery, pumpkin […]
Fall Color Walk
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy a leisurely nature walk to see the fall colors. Family program.
Forest Therapy
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Immerse yourself in nature, fostering mindfulness and wellness with a certified guide. Ages 21 & up.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate the conclusion of this special month by making traditional artwork for display on our Dia de los Muertos altar.
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, […]
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.
Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k
Swallow Cliff Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)This trail race takes you through the pristine Sag Valley Trail System, Presented with the Village of Palos Park. Register: […]
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt Drop In
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Find all the hidden pumpkins during a fun self-guided scavenger hunt. Costumes encouraged.
Fall Festival
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate the season with a special day of autumn fun. Entertainment, beekeeping demonstrations, animal encounters, pumpkin painting, honey sales, and more! […]
Creative Reuse Collage
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Create a collage inspired by nature using repurposed materials. Light refreshments provided. All ages.
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.
Wildlife Connections
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals, and birds from the residents of Misericordia - Heart of […]
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a nature-based art activity. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
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 […]
Fall Color Excursion
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Explore the North Branch and experience the changing colors of local species. Paved trail.
Be a Better Birder: Intermediate Bird ID
Zoom PresentationStep up your birding game by learning how to identify the complexities of birds.
Ecological Restoration Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy the fresh air and put your muscles to work by helping to restore habitat. Equipment provided.
Project FeederWatch
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn how to identify, count, and report bird species findings to help scientists interpret how birds are adapting to environmental […]
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt. Take home your own pumpkin after finding them all. While supplies last. […]
Nature Navigator
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a fun day packed with interactive outdoor learning experiences led by refugee youth leaders from Refugee Education […]
Day Hiking Leadership Training
Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)For teachers/youth educators! DHLT gives you all the tools to take groups out into the preserves for the day.
Dan Ryan Music Jam
Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Make music with the community and listen to local talent.
Intro to Orienteering
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn the basics of finding your way with maps and baseplate compasses. Ages 8 & up.
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.