River Trail Nature Center

For 10,000 years, since the last glaciers melted away, the Des Plaines River Valley has been home and highway for plants, animals and people. Only a few hundred years ago American Indians paddled their canoes along the river and hunted bear, deer and elk along its banks, while trappers and fur traders came searching for beaver in its waters. A fragment of that world has been preserved in our Cook County forest preserves. River Trail Nature Center tells the story of native plants and animals that remain in the urban environment. Here you may walk through sugar maple woods along the river on self-guiding trails, learn of the past and present in the exhibit building, and visit a few of our native animals.

Programs and special events are held throughout the year. Trail maps and interpretive publications are available at the front desk, and naturalists are present to answer questions.

Visits by groups are encouraged. Making a reservation by calling the River Trail Nature Center is necessary to insure your group’s prompt orientation by the naturalist and admittance to exhibit facilities. River Trail Nature Center: (847) 824-8360. For general information, call the Resource Management Department at (708) 771-1330; 1 (800) 870-3666; TDD# (708) 771-1190.

Location:

River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062

West side, Milwaukee Ave., 3/4 mile southeast of River Rd., Northbrook

(847) 824-8360

Nature Center Hours

March — October

Parking lot and trails:
Weekdays: Monday — Friday
Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays: 8:00 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.

Exhibit Buildings:
Weekdays: Monday — Thursday, CLOSED FRIDAYS
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

November — February

Parking lot and trails:
Weekdays: Every day
8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Exhibit Buildings:
Weekdays: Sunday — Thursday, CLOSED FRIDAYS
9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Nature Center Guidelines

Please:

• Schedule group visits in advance by calling the nature center. Scheduled group visits will include an introductory talk with a naturalist, including time for questions. Other programs may sometimes be arranged; call individual nature centers for details. Groups of 15 or must make advance reservations.
  
• Stay on trails - bicycles, horses, and motorized vehicles are not permitted; check at each center for availability of cross-country skiing.
  
• Picnic in designated picnic groves only; picnicing is not permitted on nature center grounds.
  
• Leave your pet at home; pets disturb wildlife and other visitors.
  
• Respect wildlife and other visitors by maintaining quiet in buildings and on trails.
  
  

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