As winter approaches, many of us want to bundle up inside and stay warm, but did you know there are many fun activities that can be enjoyed outdoors, too? Now that the holiday hustle and bustle comes to a close, it's time to let loose and enjoy the outdoors with your family. We’re breaking down the top winter activities to do outside this year at forest preserves near the Oak Park area.
Sledding
Sledding is a fun activity you and the whole family can enjoy. There’s nothing better than cruising down a hill with the crisp, cold air in your face. Sledding is a great activity for all ages, and forest preserves are the perfect place with optimal hills and space to really gain speed.
Here’s a list of the best forest preserves to sled at in the Western Suburbs.
107th St, east of S Willow Springs Rd/Flavin Rd
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
Call 708-839-5617 for sledding hill status.
W Irving Park Rd, west of N Cumberland Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(near Schiller Park)
Call 773-625-0606 for sledding hill status.
W Cermak Rd, east of S Manheim Rd/S La Grange Rd
Cook County, IL 60526
(near La Grange Park)
Call 708-447-0090 for sledding hill status.
Snowshoeing
With inches of snow piling up, you may find it difficult to explore the freshly laid powder in your neighborhood. Snowshoeing makes it easy to get around and explore the beautiful outdoors with your whole family this winter. When navigating a snowy terrain, snowshoes help to distribute weight more evenly, helping you walk on top of snow instead of sinking into it. Snowshoes that are 24 to 27 inches long are ideal for adults and snowshoes that are 20 to 23 inches are best for kids.
You can rent snowshoes at the following locations in the Western Suburbs.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Cost: Free
Contact: 708- 839-6897
Snowshoe hikes are offered during any days that have over 4” of snow. An ID is required for rental and snowshoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:30am – 2:30pm.
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Thatcher Woods
738 Thatcher Ave.
River Forest, IL 60306
Cost: Free
Contact: 708-366-6530
Snowshoes are rented on a first-come-first-serve basis. An ID is required for rental, and snowshoes may only be used on the forest preserve property with 4” of snow needed for use.
Snowmobiling
If you live in the Oak Park area, you may find it difficult to navigate which locations in the area permit legal snowmobiling. Lucky for you, there are some local forest preserves that allow it! Snowmobiling can be a joyous activity to do in the winter, with the right safety precautions in mind.
Here are some forest preserves that permit snowmobiling in the Cook County area.
107th St, west of La Grange Rd
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
Call 708-839-5617 for snowmobile area status.
All snowmobiles operated on Forest Preserves property must be registered with the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Ice Fishing
For a serene and calm activity, consider ice fishing this winter. When bodies of water freeze over in the winter, they present the perfect opportunity to bond with family and friends while waiting for fish to take a nibble. It’s best to go ice fishing when there is a minimum of four inches of solid ice over the entire waterbody to ensure proper safety precautions.
The following areas offer ice fishing.
Wolf Rd, south of 95th St
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
Wolf Rd, south of 95th St
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
S Willow Springs Rd/104th Ave, north of Calumet Sag Rd/Rte 83
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
Ice Skating
If there's one way to enjoy the beautiful winter weather, it's cruising on a long frozen lake with your family and friends by your side. Ice skating is an enjoyable physical activity that promotes balance and coordination with breathtaking scenery along the way. The beneficial physical aspects combined with the scenic beauty of the forest make ice skating an entertaining activity that all ages can enjoy, even if you do fall, all the more to laugh about!
With proper ice thickness, there are many locations where you can enjoy ice skating in the forest preserves across the Chicagoland area.
S Kean Ave, north of W 87th St
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
Flavin Rd/Willow Springs Rd/104th Ave, south of 95th St
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
96th Ave, north of W 95th St
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
Ice skating is permitted on a “skate at your own risk” basis with a minimum of four inches of solid ice over the entire lake for safety.
Winter Events in the Forest Preserves: How to Get Outside for Fun This Winter
With temperatures dropping, you may be tempted to stay inside and light a fire, but there are many fun events to enjoy in the forest preserves this winter that will get you on your feet and off the couch!
Check out these upcoming events happening at forest preserves in the Western suburbs.
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Location: 738 Thatcher Ave
River Forest, IL 60305 (view web map)
The Trailside Museum of Natural History will be hosting a variety of outdoor activities all winter long. View the following events below.
Event: Story Trail: “The Snowy Day” Drop-In
When: Friday, Dec 15 - Fri Jan 12, 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: Free - no registration required
Enjoy the beautiful winter scenery while walking a short trail and read the classical story of “The Snowy Day '' by Ezra J Keats. Afterwards, stop in the museum lobby to pick up a take-home craft and read about other suggestions for winter activities in the coming year.
Learn more about the event here.
Event: Winter Artist Showcase
When: Monday, Jan 1 - Sun, Mar 31 • 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: Free
Immerse yourself in local artist Judy Steed’s Natural Reflections beautiful glass mosaic exhibit which will be on display for visitors to view with an artist meet and greet on Friday, January 12, at 6 pm.
Learn more about the event here.
Little Red Schoolhouse
Location: 9800 Willow Springs Rd
Willow Springs, IL 60480 (view web map)
The little red schoolhouse is hosting a variety of events this winter for families to enjoy. Take a look at the following events.
Event: Little Red’s Snowshoe Roulette
When: Sat, Dec 2 - Thu, Feb 29 at 1 pm
Cost: Free, registration required
Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897
Explore the outdoors with Little Red Schoolhouses snowshoe roulette when snow accumulates to 4 inches or higher.
Learn more about the event here.
Event: S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
When: Thu, Jan 11 at 10 am
Cost: Free, registration required
Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897
Seniors ages 55 and up can enjoy a nature-themed day outside to explore the serene and peaceful outdoors.
Learn more about the event here.
Event: Sunrise Hike
When: Sun, Jan 14 at 7 am
Cost: Free, registration required
Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897
Experience the dawn of a new day with a sunrise hike before hours. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere free of disturbance.
Learn more about the event here.
Willow Springs
Event: Photography Walk
Where: Spears Woods
96th Ave, south of W 87th St
Cook County, IL 60480
(near Willow Springs)
When: Wed, Feb 21 at 9:30 am
Cost: Free
Walk around Spears Woods to capture some magical winter photos.
Learn more about the event here.
Meet Us for a Snow Day
Whether you go sledding for the day, camp for a weekend, or trek through a snowy winter wonderland, spending time outdoors in the winter can be a great way to boost your mood during the dreary winter months. So meet us in the great outdoors for a fun winter day!