title
PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 6/10/2025 - 6/30/2025.
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 6/11; 8pm
Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Empowerment, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for an evening designed to empower, connect and inspire women. Registration required. For women, ages 18 and up. The cost is $10 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Thursday, 6/12; 5pm─7pm
Wellness in Woods: Gardening 101, Caldwell Wellness Center, Chicago
Join us for a series of talks about gardening and the incredible effect plants can have on your well-being. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 6/14; 8am─10am
Birding Is Accessible, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a short, slow-paced 0.3-mile walk along our ADA-accessible Pines Trail followed by a feeder watch. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 6/14; 9am─12pm
Busse Lake Outdoors Day and Fishing Derby, Busse Lake Boating Center, Elk Grove Village
Join us for a free fishing derby, nature play, animal encounters and more! You can enjoy local food and win prizes. Registration required. This event will be held at Grove 25. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 6/14; 11am─3pm
Beaubien Woods Celebration, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Celebrate the wonders of nature and immerse yourself in the beauty of Beaubien Woods. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just looking for a memorable family outing, there's something for everyone at this celebration. This event will feature a wide range of activities to enjoy which include archery, canoeing and engaging activities from our community partners. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged. Canoe slots are limited, so it will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 6/15; 1pm
Wildlife Pride Walk, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Join us for a guided walk on a 2.5-mile trail. You can learn about the diverse relations and anatomy of wildlife in the Forest Preserves.
Tuesday, 6/17; 5pm─7pm
Pond Paddle, Thatcher Glen Pond, River Forest
Enjoy the afternoon outdoors by paddling. Instructions, equipment, and kayaks will be provided. Registration required. Please call (312)533-5751.
Tuesday, 6/17; 7pm─9pm
Little Red Rocks, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Enjoy music and poetry at sunset! Participants can perform or listen to music and poetry on an open-mic night on the grounds. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Wednesday, 6/18; 7pm─8:30pm
Naturalist Night Out: Bats, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Join us for a themed stroll under the World’s Largest Urban Night Sky Place. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Thursday, 6/19; 2pm─4pm
Juneteenth River Boat Tour, Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Chicago
Paddle along the African American Heritage Water. Registration required. This event is presented by Beaubien Woods Youth Outdoor Ambassadors and the Midwest Underground Railroad Network. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 6/19; 5pm─7pm
Juneteenth River Boat Tour, Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Chicago
Paddle along the African American Heritage Water. Registration required. This event is presented by Beaubien Woods Youth Outdoor Ambassadors and the Midwest Underground Railroad Network. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 6/19; 6pm─7:30pm
Juneteenth Freedom Ride, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Join us for a cycling celebration on a 16-mile loop trail. Participants must bring their own bike and helmet. This program is presented by the Major Taylor Trail Keepers and Black Girls Bike. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 6/20; 10am
Juneteenth River Boat Tour, Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Chicago
Paddle along the African American Heritage Water. Registration required. This event is presented by Beaubien Woods Youth Outdoor Ambassadors and the Midwest Underground Railroad Network. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 6/21; 10am─2pm
Trailside Pride Celebration, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Celebrate PRIDE with a day of activities including walks, speakers, music and more! For more information, please call (708)366-6530.
Saturday, 6/21; 11am─1pm
American Indian Summer Solstice, Schiller Woods ─ East, Chicago
Join the American Indian Center of Chicago for a celebration of the sun’s power with dancing, storytelling and sun-themed art. This event will be held at Grove 13. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 6/21; 11am─3pm
Juneteenth Jubilee, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate freedom, family and country with activities, presentations, performances and exhibits highlighting Black history, arts and culture. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 6/21: 12-6pm
Juneteenth Celebration, Dan Ryan Pavillion, Chicago
Please come out and celebrate Juneteenth to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. For more information call the Cook County 4th District Commissioner’s office at 773-785-4213.
Saturday, 6/21 through Sunday, 6/22; 5pm
Camping 101: Overnight, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
This program is part workshop and part campout! Participants can learn camping skills then spend the night. Registration required. The cost is $50 per family of 6 people. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 6/22; 1pm
Insect Architects, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Explore the work of the master builders and manipulators of the insect world.
Sunday, 6/22; 1:30pm
Serpent Safari, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us and learn about local snakes.
Monday, 6/23 through Friday 6/27; 8:30am─12:30pm
Craft Camp, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Get creative and learn some new crafting skills. Registration required. Ages 6-13. Project materials may vary. The cost is $25 per child. Please call (708)868-0606.
Tuesday, 6/24 through Thursday 6/26; 10am─1pm
Teens in the Field: Reptile and Amphibian Workshop, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
This workshop will blend career immersion, classroom learning, field investigations and close-up encounters to connect teens to Herpetology. Registration required. Ages 16-22. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Wednesday, 6/25; 9am─3pm
ENTICE Workshop: Butterflies and Moths, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
This workshop focuses on Illinois butterflies and moths. Registration required. The program is presented with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Continuing Professional Development Units also known as CPDUs are available. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 6/26; 10am
Walk and Talk: LGBTQ2S+ Environmentalists, Caldwell Wellness Center, Chicago
Celebrate Pride Month with a nature walk highlighting local and national LGBTQ2S+ conservationists. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Thursday, 6/26; 2pm
Walk and Talk: LGBTQ2S+ Environmentalists, Caldwell Wellness Center, Chicago
Celebrate Pride Month with a nature walk highlighting local and national LGBTQ2S+ conservationists. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Thursday, 6/26; 5:30pm
Camping 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Join us for a 1.5-hour workshop to learn basic camping skills like setting up a tent, building a fire, dress for the weather and more! For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 6/26; 7pm
Native Cooking Demonstration, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a cooking demonstration using local foods, focusing on seasonality and traditional preparation. Registration required. This program is presented by Chef Jessica Walk of the First of the Menominee Nation. Please call (847)824-8360.
Friday, 6/27; 8pm─9pm
Evening Firefly Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Enjoy a guided walk as twilight settles in and the fireflies begin to twinkle. Registration required. This program is intended for families. Please call (708)366-6530.
Saturday, 6/28; 10am─12pm
International Mud Day Celebration, Caldwell Wellness Center, Chicago
Dress to get messy! Join others around the globe for a morning of splashing, squishing, mud creations and more. For more information, please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 6/28; 12pm─2:30pm
Nature Obstacle Course, Twenty-Sixth Street Woods─West, LaGrange Park
Families can drop in and attempt an obstacle course created from natural materials. The activities include nature play as well as arts and craft. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 6/28; 7pm─9pm
Nature at Night: Campfire Cooking, Camp Shabbona, South Holland
Join us for an evening of exploration at the campground! Registration required. This program is bilingual and will also be offered in Spanish. Please call (708)868-0606.
end