Events
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, movement, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Mar 13: Gold Hunt Apr 10: Butterflies May […]
Teen Exploration Day: Crafternoon
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Use nature to inspire art. Try your hand at a variety of arts and crafts.
“Endangered Orchids” Art Display Opening
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Meet and chat with noted botanical artist Kathleen Marie Garness and view her recent large drawings of endangered local orchids, […]
Adult Game Night
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646A night of outdoor games, trivia, and nature play. BYOB (no glass). Ages 21 & up.
Nature Story Trail: “Stick and Stone” by Beth Ferry
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Follow a short trail and read a posted children’s nature story. Then pick up an activity bag with a craft […]
Printmaking Workshop
Evans Field • River Grove, IL 60171Learn basic printmaking techniques using natural materials. Supplies provided. Bring items you wish to decorate.
Outdoor Cooking
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452Cooking outdoors is easy and fun! Learn how to prepare food both over a fire and on a stove. Ages […]
Frog Talk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn why frogs communicate while walking along wetlands.
World Migratory Bird Day
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for activities dedicated to our feathered neighbors! Bird Walk: 8 am Little Sit: 10 am Bird Feeder Craft: […]
Morning Bird Walk for World Migratory Bird Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate migrating birds on guided bird walks. All birding levels welcomed; binoculars available to lend.
Chicago River Day
Beaubien Woods • Chicago, IL 60827Celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Chicago River Day. Do your part to clean and restore our waterways and the land […]
World Migratory Bird Day
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate migratory birds and watch bird banding demonstrations while learning how insects affect bird populations.
Teen Exploration Day: Volunteer Day
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Help remove invasive garlic mustard. Supplies provided. Earn Service-Learning hours. Ages 15 & up.
World Migratory Bird Day Big Sit
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Drop-in for a bird watch from a fixed location.
Migratory Bird Day: Birding Basics
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn the basics of bird watching. Ages 8 & up.
R.I.P. Stewardship
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us as we Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Supplies provided. Age 17 and up w/adult.
Learn to Kayak
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking in a comfortable setting and at a relaxed pace. You […]
Zumba in the Woods
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Migratory Bird Day: Raptor Encounter
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Get up close with live birds of prey.
Star Party
Deer Grove-East • Cook County, IL 60074 (near Palatine)Explore astronomy on this family-friendly night in the Preserves. Crafts, stargazing and refreshments included. Grove 3.
Spring Nature Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Mother’s Day Mindful Art Program
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us at Sand Ridge Nature Center for our Mother's Day Mindful Art Program. Celebrate mothers and Mother Earth with […]
Mother’s Day Woodland Wildflower Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a walk in the woodland.
Wildflower Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about spring woodland wildflowers on a casual walk.
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Wildcrafting Throughout History
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us on a guided walk to learn about ways people have sustainably and ethically lived off the land throughout […]
World Mental Health Day Celebration
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Join Advocate Aurora Health - Behavioral Health Department to learn about the services that they provide the South Suburban PSA […]
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Event 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.