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River Trail Nature Center: Explore for an Hour, a Day or Even a Night

September 4, 2025/
people looking at animal exhibits

With more than 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful, Cook County residents and visitors can find ways to explore the Forest Preserves for an hour, a day or even a night. Whether you’re after a breezy hour of discovery, a full day of riverside exploration, or a dreamy evening under the stars, River Trail Nature Center and its neighboring preserves serve up memorable moments at every turn.

An Hour

  • Drop in for nature’s storytelling at River Trail Nature Center. Wander through sugar-maple woods, meet our Ambassador Animals, peek into interactive exhibits or let the little ones roam the indoor discovery areas and playful outdoor nature zones.
  • Stroll a short unpaved loop on one of the three winding River Trail Nature Center trails. With about 1.7 miles underfoot, it’s a perfect mini-adventure for fresh-air seekers.
  • Bring your pup along for run-and-splash time at Beck Lake Off-Leash Dog Area. Located about 1.6 miles south of River Trail, this sprawling 40-acre fenced haven is complete with a swimming pond, open grassy fields and trails. Just remember you’ll need a membership to enter, but it’s well worth every joyful tail wag and muddy paw.

A Day

  • Hop onto the Des Plaines River Trail! This scenic stretch of trails connects to River Trail Nature Center and takes you through riverside serenity across Northbrook and beyond, offering both paved and unpaved surfaces for walking, biking or just breathing in creek-side calm.
  • Take your canoe or kayak to Allison Woods and hop into the Des Plaines River! This gem just up Milwaukee Avenue offers the chance for paddle adventures as well as a fully accessible picnic grove with a shelter, which is great for unwinding, making sandwiches or just basking in nature.

A Night

  • Take a nocturnal nature walk at the River Trail Nightlife: Night Hike. On September 19, join us for a magical after-dark happening where you may discover twinkling stars, whispering woodland critters and forest secrets under the moonlight. A perfect evening outing to marvel at nature in its moonlit mood. Remember to register ($5/person) by September 17.