Events
Walk and Talk
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Archery
Cherry Hill Woods • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Attend this session to learn the basics of archery. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up.
Book Swap
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Bring in your gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! Books can be of any genre and reading […]
Walk with Pride!
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us this Pride Month for a self-guided interpretive walk to learn about LGBTQ2S+ people in conservation.
IKES Fish for Fun
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120You are invited to this annual fishing extravaganza. Give-a-ways to participants, prizes for category winners, and refreshments for all. Event […]
Little Calumet River Clean-up
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Clean up the river while paddling. Register at lholden@openlands.org.
Creek Survey
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Clean water supports a biodiverse ecosystem. Help us survey Sagawau’s creek to see what life it supports. Ages 12 & […]
Canceled Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
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.
Summertime Stories
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for stories told by the Naperville Chinese Storytime group and enjoy nature-based art and activity afterwards. Supplies provided. […]
Explore the Forest
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate everything the Forest Preserves has to offer through animal encounters, arts & crafts, recreation, and much more at this […]
Nests: Birds Baskets of Life
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439We’ll search for nests and nesting activity. Bring binoculars or borrow ours.nestnes
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Make a simple musical instrument with us or bring your own and join the jam! All ages welcome to join […]
Cicada Celebration
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473This year’s cicada emergence is a once-in-a-lifetime event! Join us for crafts, games and refreshments and learn what makes this […]
Let’s Play! Forest Exploration Day
Erickson Woods • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Engage in creative, imaginative, and child-directed, outdoor free-play as a family. In partnership with The Alliance for Early Childhood and BackYard Nature Center.
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Live Healthy, Discover Nature
Daley Plaza • Chicago, IL 60602Celebrate all things Forest Preserves at Daley Plaza. We’ll be there with partners and information about all the exciting things […]
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.
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 […]
Storytime & Picnic
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Listen to a nature-themed book read aloud by North Riverside Public Library, followed by an activity. Stay after for a […]
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 […]
Camping & Cooking 101
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480This 2-hour workshop covers camping and outdoor cooking basics. Camping and cooking gear provided. All ages.
Without Limits: Adventure for All
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Enjoy climbing and kayaking in this program specially designed for individuals with a primary physical disability or visual impairment.
Night of the Frogs/ Noche de las Ranas
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join our bilingual night walk to hear seasonal frog calls and other nocturnal creatures. Spanish native speakers encouraged! Ages 16 […]
Senior Nature Collaging
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join local artist, Phyllis Frick, in making collages of plants, animals and landscapes. Ages 55 and up.
Frog Frenzy
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Hear who is croaking in the night. Ages 7 and up.
Pedal the Preserves
Miami Woods • Morton Grove, IL 60053Learn bicycle basics, simple maintenance, and safe riding skills then explore the North Branch Trail. Family-friendly. Limited loaner bikes upon request. In […]
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.