Events
Waterfowl Watch
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get to know the ducks and geese on Crabtree Lake.
Forest Therapy
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Immerse yourself in nature, fostering mindfulness and wellness with a certified guide. Ages 16 & up. Register: thatforestfeeling.com/register
Galls: Insect Home-builders
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439For gall-building insects, home is where you make it. Join us for a survey of these cryptic insects.
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, […]
Live Healthy, Discover Nature! Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Venture out on our scenic trails for a 3- to 4-mile guided walk.
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.
Stars, Stories, & S’mores
LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630At this annual event celebrate an evening in the Preserves and listen to storytelling, take a night hike, make a […]
Owl-o-ween Prowl
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a not-so-spooky night! Learn about and search for these amazing predators of the night. Candy provided; costumes […]
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about and participate in a technology-inspired scavenger hunt.
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about and participate in a technology-inspired scavenger hunt.
Fall Color Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join a guided walk to learn about the changes of the season.
Naturalist Choice
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Drop-in for a look at what is happening in nature now.
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join the jam or just listen! Make a simple musical instrument from repurposed invasive plants or bring your own instrument. […]
Walk and Talk: History of the Preserves
Camp Pine Woods • Cook County, IL 60056 (near Mount Prospect)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about and participate in a technology-inspired scavenger hunt.
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.
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories and crafts. Children ages 3-6 w/ adult.
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 […]
Senior Fitness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join other seniors for a moderately paced, one mile fitness walks in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led by senior Roberta Jannsen, […]
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft, and go on an adventure. Ages 3-6 w/ adult; siblings welcome. Tickets on a […]
Fitness Hike
Brezina Woods • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Open Nature Play Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Bring your little one for open nature play time and help your children connect with nature. Enjoy stories, art, and […]
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 & make discoveries in the natural world. Ages […]
Camping 101
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 604521.5-hour long workshop covering basic camping skills. All ages.
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 […]
Little Red Rocks
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Perform or listen to music and poetry during an open-mic night at sunset.
Teen Exploration Days at Sand Ridge
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us after hours each month for fun activities. Spanish speakers welcome! Ages 13-18.
Sagawau Bird Stories
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Are you curious about birds? Enjoy the stories of common and rare birds found at Sagawau and in the Lemont […]
Stars, Stories, and Smores
Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join us for s’mores by the fire, storytelling, astronomy and more.
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.