Friday Morning Hike at Wester

Wester Park 814 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL

We had such a great turnout at our first Wester Park hike that we're doing it again. Sort of. We'll meet at the gazebo in the park but we're going to explore different parts of the downtown and city. Expect to hike three to four miles. Please park on Fisher Avenue for free. It's the […]

Free

Saturday at Cedar Cliff Hike

Cedar Cliff Forest Preserve 7901 Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, IL, United States

Join us at Cedar Cliff Forest Preserve for a Saturday morning hike. We'll cross over a stream and hike through the lovely prairie and scented woods. We'll stop at the limestone cliffs and take in views of the lovely Rock River. This hike will loop for slightly less than two-and-a-half miles. There are a couple […]

Free

Lunchtime Loop at Haight Park

Haight Park 451 Lafayette Avenue, Rockford, IL

We love Haight! Our lunchtime loop at Haight Park is going to be a lot of fun! Park for free on the street at N. 1st Street and Lafayette. We'll meet at the gazebo, have a quick info session and then hike around downtown and Haight Village. We'll hike for approximately two miles. Leashed dogs […]

Free

The Ripplinger/Gouker Prairie & Etnyre Forest Preserve Hike

Etnyre & Ripplinger/Gouker Preserve 1700 Townline Road, Oregon, Illinois

Perhaps the name of this hike is confusing, but once you're there, it will all makes sense! There are three miles of trails that loop through two preserves. We'll hike through prairies, oak savannas and a pine forest. There are moderate hills along the way. Hikers who want to do two miles will have that […]

Free

Morning Hike at Deer Run

Deer Run 5691 River Road, Cherry Valley

When you turn into the preserve, you'll immediately see a small parking lot on your right. Keep driving! There is a bigger parking lot a little bit further down the road. Park there and meet by the picnic tables. We'll hike for four miles throughout this lovely, sprawling preserve. We'll hike along the Kishwaukee River, […]

Free

Lunchtime Loop – Spring Cemetery Hike

Walker Park; 1500 Myott Ave., Rockford, IL 61103 1500 Myott Ave, Rockford, IL, Dominica

Back by popular demand! This is a peaceful, contemplative hike. We won't do much talking during this hike, but it won't be completely silent either. Meet at Walker Park on the corner of Myott and Sheridan. We'll head over to the Greenwood Cemetery and hike about two miles. It was in the teens during our […]

Free

Morning Hike at Hononegah Forest Preserve

Hononegah Forest Preserve 80 Hononegah Road, Rockton, IL

We'll hike for three miles at this lovely preserve. We'll walk through deciduous and coniferous forests and alongside the Rock River on this beautiful morning hike. Park in the very first parking lot. We'll have a quick meeting and then hit the trails for three mile "out and back." That means we'll hike for one-and-a-half […]

Free

“Buzz Bus” Micro-Hikes at Severson Dells Pollinator Palooza

Pollinator Palooza is a wonderful outdoor event that features pollinator-themed games and craft stations to entertain visitors of all ages. You can build a bee hotel for leaf-cutter bees and grass-carrying wasps and even learn how your actions can support native pollinators. They'll even teach you how to design a pollinator garden that will impress […]

City Nature Challenge at Nygren Wetlands

Carl & Myrna Nygren Wetland 3714 W. Rockton Rd, Rockton, IL, United States

This event is different from most of our 815 Outside hikes. Instead of hiking, we'll be spreading out and photographing nature. Here's what to do. Before Sunday Download the free iNaturalist app. On Sunday Meet in the parking lot. We'll have a quick tutorial. We'll take out our phones and practice taking pictures of nature […]

Free

Oak Ridge Hike

Oak Ridge Forest Preserve 8321 Blomberg Rd, Cherry Valley, IL, United States

Join us for a walk through the beautiful woodlands at Oak Ridge Forest Preserve. This hike will take us through about 2-3 miles of beautiful wooded trails with slight elevation changes. To find the preserve, navigate 3 miles south of Cherry Valley. The park is 1/2 mile east on Blomberg Road from the Blomberg & […]

Free

Lunchtime Loop Walk at Midway Village

Midway Village 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, IL, United States

Join us for a leisurely 2 mile walk on the recreational path at Midway Village. We will meet at Midway Village's Entrance 2 on Guilford Road across from Reid Farm Road.

Free

Hike at Lost Flora Fen

Lost Flora Fen Preserve 5565 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL, United States

Join us on this beautiful hike through the Lost Flora Fen. This hike will include up to two miles of boardwalks and grassy trails and fairly level terrain with some slight elevation changes. If it has recently rained, there is a possibility for ankle deep water. Rubber boots would be recommended in this case. *PLEASE […]

Free

Kieselburg Hike

Kieselburg County Forest Preserve 5801 Swanson Road, Roscoe, IL, United States

Join us for an easy afternoon hike through Kieselburg Forest Preserve! Our trail will be about 2 miles with some slight elevation gain, and all ages are welcome. We will meet at the first parking area.

Free

Hike at Nardi Prairie

Nardi Equine Prairie, 6651 North River Road Oregon, Illinois 6651 North River Road, Oregon, United States

UPDATE: This hike will now be taking place at the neighboring Nardi Prairie! The lupines are in full bloom over at Nardi, so it will be a beautiful walk! Join us to look for wildflowers on a hike through Nardi Prairie! We will meet in the parking lot at 6651 N. River Road, Oregon at […]

Free

Sunset Hike at Jensen Forest Preserve

J. Norman Jensen Forest Preserve 14400 S. Bluff, Rockton, IL, United States

Enjoy the beauty of Jensen Forest Preserve on this calming sunset hike! This hike will be 1-2 miles in length and bring you through the beautiful landscapes at the preserve. All ages are welcome! 

Free
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