Visitors to the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History will discover displays of live native animals, colorful wildflower gardens, information about local wildlife and their habitats, and more.
On this page:
- Location, Hours & Things to Do
- Trails
- Events
- Fishing at Thatcher Pond
- Field Trips & Hybrid Learning
- History
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Rules
Location, Hours & Things to Do
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Nature Center
- Nature Play
- Accessible Indoor Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Fishing
- Birding Hotspot
- Volunteer Opportunities
- 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
Trails
Miles of unpaved walking trails at Trailside Museum wind through Thatcher Woods' beautiful oak woodlands and floodplain forest.
Surface
UnpavedEstimated Total Length
4.9 milesThings to Do
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
Events
Thursdays in the Field Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in at Trailside on the 3rd Thursday of each month to connect to nature through fun themed activities for […]
Fall Bird Walks
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us on a guided bird walk to see both resident and migratory birds, led by John Elliott of the […]
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, […]
Accessible Autumnal Equinox Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a talk about the equinox on a short, guided nature walk on a paved trail. ADA Accessible.
Autumn Nature Walks
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a guided walk as the autumn color intensifies. Family program.
Fall Bird Walks
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us on a guided bird walk to see both resident and migratory birds, led by John Elliott of the […]
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, […]
Forest Therapy
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Immerse yourself in nature, fostering mindfulness and wellness with a certified guide. Ages 16 & up. Register: thatforestfeeling.com/register
Seed Collecting
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Collect prairie seed while learning about the significance and history of Wolf Road Prairie. Ages 12 & up.
Autumn Nature Walks
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a guided walk as the autumn color intensifies. Family program.
Bird painting Step-by-Step: Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305For beginners and intermediate artists. All materials provided. $5/person. Ages 18 & up.
Thursdays in the Field Drop In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in at Trailside on the 3rd Thursday of each month to connect to nature through fun themed activities for […]
Fishing at Thatcher Pond
This 1.5-acre pond, next to the Trailside Museum of Natural History parking lot, is an old oxbow of the Des Plaines River and is prone to flooding. Its fish population is heavily influenced by the river.
Field Trips & Hybrid Learning
Our hybrid learning and field trip offerings allow teachers, parents and youth leaders to use forest preserves and nature centers as an outdoor (or virtual) classroom. Our hybrid learning programs serve kindergarten through 12th grade students and meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), while our field trips serve everyone from pre-K to adult learners.
Contact one of our nature centers or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov for more information or to discuss programs tailored to your learning objectives.
History
Established in 1932, Trailside Museum served as the first public nature education facility for the Forest Preserves.
Trailside Museum of Natural History is set within a historic 1876 mansion. The building has served many purposes through the years including being a residence and even housing two schools. In 1919, the Forest Preserves purchased the building, having already bought much of the surrounding land. The mansion served as the Forest Preserves’ headquarters until 1932, when the Board of Commissioners voted to make it a “trail side” museum displaying “every plant and animal in Cook County, live or mounted, for the education of the public.”
Volunteer Opportunities
Help out at events, restore natural areas and more.
Nature Center 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.