Celebrate Fall Colors in Cook County in the Forest Preserves

Explore dazzling fall colors in Cook County’s Forest Preserves with your family at the best viewing spots, kid-friendly events and autumn adventures.

As the air turns crisp and the leaves burst into reds, oranges and golds, the Forest Preserves of Cook County transforms into an autumn wonderland escape.

“Fall is a great time to get out and really just walk,” says Artt Mathews, who oversees the forest preserves’ conservation and programming. “The weather is perfect. It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold. You just throw on a light jacket and go.” And of course, he adds, “There are fewer bugs!”

Mix in stunning fall foliage and 350 miles of trails to explore, and it’s an ideal chance to immerse your family in nature — and experience the magic of the changing seasons together.

Here’s a look at what’s in store for fall 2024 at Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Fall color tours in the Forest Preserves

Families can roam on their own — or get a little guidance — to experience the trees’ vibrant show. October to mid-November are prime times to catch its glory.

“We have a Fall Color Filter on our interactive web map,” Mathews shares. “This gives you the top spots in the forest preserves for seeing the changing colors of fall.”

It highlights 21 sites in Cook County, all with trails to explore. A few prime places:

  • Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center: “This Willow Springs spot is filled with oaks,” Mathews says. “There’s a white oak trail and a black oak trail.” It hosts a free guided walk on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 at 1 p.m.
  • River Trail Nature Center: Known for its stunning maples, this Northbrook destination has three trails, which also connect to the nearby Des Plaines River Trail System.
  • North Branch Trail: Why not bike a bit? This paved stretch of 20 miles of the Chicago River’s north branch offers stunning views on wheels.

A guided tour can help kids understand this chlorophyll-shifting spectacle.

“You get a little more in-depth about why these colors happen,” Mathews says, “and the biology around why trees change at this season.”

Trailside Museum of Natural History
Trailside Museum of Natural History | Photo credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County

Fall events to celebrate autumn with the family

As the spooky season gives way to November, you’ll find several events to create cozy family memories. 

“Apart from the changing colors, fall is a great time to visit our nature centers’ events,” Mathews says. “Each center also has its own unique habitats that surround it for more exploration.”

Be sure to catch these free drop-in events:

🎃 Halloween Craft & Costume Parade

Oct. 31, 2024
Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Create spooky crafts with items from nature (10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.). Then, kids can show off their costumes at the 2 p.m. parade along the wooded trail.

📚 Nature Story Trail

Nov. 1-Dec. 2
Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Visit all November long to take a stroll and read Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin of the Passamaquoddy Nation. Pick up a take-home craft after!

✨ Stars, Stories and S’mores 

  • LaBagh Woods: Nov. 2, 2024 
  • Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center: Nov. 8, 2024

At this pair of Chicago parks, kids of all ages can take a night hike, make a s’more over the campfire and get a little guidance identifying the constellations above. Both are 5-8 p.m.

To find out what’s happening on other fall dates, check out the Forest Preserves’ events calendar.

Maximize your family’s fall nature adventure

As the season progresses, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Here’s what you can look forward to as autumn continues:

Visit a nature center

The Forest Preserves’ six nature centers are open six days a week (closed Fridays). Learn about nature indoors, then head out and look for it along the trails at:

  1. Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington
  2. Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs
  3. River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook
  4. Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont
  5. Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland
  6. Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest

Spot fall wildlife

Especially as the trees’ branches get barer, it’s also an ideal time to glimpse local wildlife.

“You may see coyotes. You’ll see deer, of course,” Mathews says. “There are plenty of birds of prey, plus owls in the evenings.”

Playtime in nature

The preserves’ nature play areas also offer some open-ended fun. “Fall is a great time to engage in unstructured play, where kids explore natural elements and get creative,” says Mathews. This includes:

  • Tree stumps and logs for jumping/climbing
  • Short walking paths
  • Loose natural items to build structures

Three standout areas, open 7 days a week, are at the Crabtree, River Trail and Little Red Schoolhouse nature centers.

Embrace the magic of fall before it fades

Don’t miss your chance to soak in the full sensory experience of fall in Cook County’s preserves.

“It’s really nice to be in a climate where we have all four seasons,” Mathews says. “The smells are different, the colors are changing and nature is preparing for winter.”

There’s still time to grab that jacket, step outside and watch it unfold.

For a complete list of fall activities, visit the Forest Preserves of Cook County website to join the fun. Note that while most activities are free, registration often is required.

Kim Kovelle
Kim Kovelle
As a Chicago Parent content manager, Kim Kovelle brings over 20 years of writing and editing experience. She has strong roots in community journalism and a knack for making complicated topics make more sense.

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