Explore the outdoors at Red Oak Nature Center

Posted on 10/07/2020 by  James Cardis

Easy hiking trails, beautiful boardwalks, and colorful fall foliage are just a few of the features you'll find at Red Oak Nature Center in Batavia & North Aurora, Illinois. 

Photo: O the Places We Go

Nestled on the bank of the Fox River, Red Oak Nature Center is Chicagoland's premier destination for conservation and nature education. 

While the education center itself is currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the site is surrounded by more than 40 acres of dense forest and wildlife habitate, presenting an ideal destination to learn about every aspect of the great outdoors. With its easy hiking trails, Red Oak Nature Center is a family-friendly outdoor getaway, and a great option for grandparents & grandkids to connect and spend quality time enjoying nature.

Fun-loving travel writer Cheryl at O the Places We Go brought her family to Red Oak Nature Center as part of their goal to explore new trails. They found fun diversions for the kids, like the riverside cave and a nature-based playground, as well as photogenic spots to capture lasting family memories. Read Cheryl's trip report at otheplaceswego.com and find out how they enjoyed an afternoon's journey at Red Oak and neighboring Lippold Park. 

Looking for an opportunity to visit Red Oak Nature Center? Two upcoming events offer seasonal and (lighthearted) spooky fun.

Animal Encounters — Bats at Red Oak Nature Center • October 11

Animal Encounters at Red Oak Nature Center gives you an opportunity to learn all about the variety of creatures that call the park their home. This month's Halloween feature focuses on the sightless, airborn, misunderstood bats who descend on the Fox River in the evening. Listen to an engaging presentation by one of Red Oak's naturalists followed by an interactive activity, outdoor hike, and a meet & greet with Red Oak Nature Center educators.

Registration is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult — visit https://bit.ly/30JgxhX to sign up for Animal Encounters. 

The Great Pumpkin Hunt at Red Oak Nature Center • October 17 & 18, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Great Pumpkin is hiding in the woods along the Fox River—grab a list of clues from the front desk and investigate the Red Oak forest to find it! Photograph yourself with the ‘Great Pumpkin’ and receive a small prize.

Registration is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult — visit https://bit.ly/3kLTlr7 to sign up for The Great Pumpkin Hunt.

Looking for more fall family fun? 

The Aurora Area guide to fall family fun features seasonal activities like apple picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. See how you can make memories that last at destinations like Woody's Orchard, Abbey Farms, Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm, and Keller's Farmstand Oswego.