Members and guests: free.

The Des Plaines River is a gem in Chicagoland. Flowing southward for 133 miles from southern Wisconsin, the river was used by Native Americans and French explorers for transportation and trade.

There are more than a dozen forest preserves along the Des Plaines river in Cook County. One of them is the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook with displays on native plants and animals of the Des Plaines River flood plain. There are also live outdoor animal exhibits with rehabilitated wildlife. Plus, there are several winding trails through the woods or a longer one along the Des Plaines river.

If you need a break from Chicago, this is it. Bring a picnic lunch. If you want to relax, bring an outdoor chair and a book. If you want to be active, hit the trails with organizer Marcia Whitney. Figure about three or four hours to chat and chill with Mother Nature.

River Trail Nature Center is 3120 Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook. (About 45 minutes driving time from the Near North.)

Please register with the appropriate response. There are THREE options for register. Volunteer Driver, Requesting a ride and driving self/ meeting there.

After you register please email [email protected]g  if you are available to be a driver and let us how many people you can take (not including yourself). Thank you.