Sand Ridge Nature Center features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Calumet region. Visitors will find live native animal displays, hands-on activities and colorful butterfly and interpretive gardens.
On this page:
- Location, Hours & Things to Do
- Walking Trails
- Events & Programs
- Field Trips & Classroom Visits
- Pioneer Cabins & Period Programming
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Rules
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closures & Cancellations
Buildings, grounds, trails and bathrooms at Nature Centers are closed to the public until May 11.
All public Forest Preserves events are also cancelled until May 11.
Learn more about COVID-19 cancellations and closures.
Location, Hours & Things to Do
Sand Ridge Nature Center
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Nature Center
- Nature Play
- Accessible Indoor Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- No Fishing
- Birding Hotspot
- No Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed at most public locations. View accessibility policies.
Hours
Mar - Oct: 9am - 5pm, closed FridaysNov - Feb: 9am - 4pm, closed FridaysClosed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's DayClosures & Alerts
Walking Trails
Sand Ridge Nature Center offers four walking trails that pass through a number of habitats including prairies, oak savannas and woodlands on ancient beaches and sand dunes, marshes and ponds.
Surface
UnpavedEstimated Total Length
3.9 milesThings to Do
- Service dogs are allowed at most public locations. View accessibility policies.
Hours
Mar - Oct: 8 am - 5 pmNov - Feb: 8 am - 4 pmClosed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's DayClosures & Alerts
Events & Programs
Field Trips & Classroom Visits
Field trips and classroom programs may be scheduled throughout the year at no cost. Contact any of our six educational centers for more information about field trips or classroom programs. All programs are subject to limits of available staff and space.
Pioneer Cabins & Period Programming
Sand Ridge Nature Center’s pioneer cabins depict pioneer life in the early 1800s through period living quarters, tools, artifacts and costumed living history demonstrations.
Sand Ridge Nature Center hosts annual festivals and other programming that celebrates the cultural history of the Chicago region. These events include the Underground Railroad Interactive Hike, Juneteenth Celebration, Archaeology Day (celebrating Native American culture), Settlers’ Day and Christmas Past.
Volunteer Opportunities
Help take care of Sand Ridge Nature Center with removal of invasive plants. Come out to this spectacular place and do some good work for nature and friends.
Rules
- Pets are not permitted on Nature Center grounds, including the parking lots.
- Nature Centers are unable to accept injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife.
- For your safety and for the protection of natural areas, please stay on marked trails. Trails are for hiking only.
- Bicycles are only allowed in Nature Center parking lots, or at provided bike racks.
- For the benefit of other visitors and wildlife, please maintain respectful noise levels at all times.
- Picnicking is not permitted on Nature Center grounds. An adjacent picnic grove can be opened for pre-registered groups on weekdays.
- Food or drink is not permitted in Nature Center buildings.
- With the exception of water or sports bottles, food and drink are not permitted on Nature Center trails. Please dispose of litter in proper receptacles.
- Collecting of any kind is prohibited, as is the use of metal detectors. The fine for picking wildflowers is $500.
- For the protection of animals and visitors alike, please do not feed the wildlife.
- Be mindful of closing times for trails, the Nature Center building and parking lot.
- Please report safety hazards or suspicious activities to the Nature Center staff.
- Cross-country skiing is not permitted on Nature Center trails.