HOST: Megan Vandermeer | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Easy Hike

LOCATION: Libertyville, IL

SUGGESTED LGBTQ OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): $6 per car for non-Lake County residents

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Wrap up pride month with a low-key walk around the lake at Independence Grove Forest Preserve!

There's an amphitheater, canoe launch, visitors center, and a native plant garden. Come explore local flora and fauna with us!

We'll be walking around 2.5 miles on gravel/paved trails.

If you haven’t joined the Illinois FB group you can do so here!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps. If the event is not listed, check the Deadline to Sign Up date below, or the event may be full.

LIMIT: 10

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: June 26, 2025

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Volo, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

I'm planning a visit to a fascinating local spot that features a really interesting geological formation created by glaciers. It also boasts a surprisingly diverse collection of plant life, with some species you might not expect to see in Northern Illinois.

We'll be taking an easygoing trail route of around four miles, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore along the way. There's even an observation tower that we can check out.

Sorry but you cannot bring your furry 4 legged dog friends on this one. :(

I think this will be a really unique experience, and I'd love for you to join me.

If you haven’t joined the Ilinois FB group you can do so here!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps. If the event is not listed, check the Deadline to Sign Up date below, or the event may be full.

LIMIT: 15

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: May 30, 2025

HOST: Megan Vandermeer | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Easy Walk

LOCATION: Round Lake, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a leash.

Hike along gentle woodland trails surrounding local lakes.

Be on the lookout for birds, blooms and bugs!

This beginner-friendly 1.3 mile trail is partly crushed limestone and partly wooden boardwalk.

LIMIT: 10

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: April 24, 2025

If you haven’t joined the Illinois FB group you can do so here!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps. If the event is not listed, check the Deadline to Sign Up date below, or the event may be full.

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Easy Hike

LOCATION: Naperville, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a leash.

Join me for an easy walk through the blooming bluebells!

This hike will include some easy trails some of which are dirt and could be muddy if it has rained. But don't let that deter you!

If I have timed this hike correctly we will see lots of bluebells. No picture needed more than that! There are also some woods and a river where I saw a bald eagle last year. Come join me for this one.

Note the early start time for this one. This is a popular area this time of year, so I am trying to beat the crowds.

LIMIT: 15

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: April 11, 2025

If you haven’t joined the Illinois FB group you can do so here!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps. If the event is not listed, check the Deadline to Sign Up date below, or the event may be full.

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hike

LOCATION: Wheaton, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a leash.

Who is ready to get out and welcome spring? I know I am. So join me for an early spring hike.

The preserve features prairies, woods and wetlands. Its scenic rolling terrain offers trails, fishing, and picnicking areas. The open woodland of the preserve fills each spring with wild geraniums, trout lilies, shooting stars, bloodroot, toothwort, trilliums, and other native wildflowers.

I'm not planning anything too big. This should be a really easy 3 to 4 miles on well maintained paths.

If you haven’t joined the Illinois FB group you can do so here!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps. If the event is not listed, check the Deadline to Sign Up date below, or the event may be full.

LIMIT: 25

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: March 21, 2025

HOST: Megan Vandermeer| Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hike

LOCATION: Ingleside, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Explore a bog in winter! This is a great place to watch birds, look for cool plants, and enjoy the interpretive trail.

If you haven’t joined the Illinois FB group you can do so here!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps. If the event is not listed, check the Deadline to Sign Up date below, or the event may be full.

LIMIT: 20

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: February 21, 2025

HOST: Megan Vandermeer | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Virtual Meetup

LOCATION: Discord

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: December 15, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: No

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Limit: 20

December can be a busy season, so here's an interlude to next year. Come make friends and brainstorm next year's events with us around a virtual fireplace!

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps.

If you haven’t joined the Illinois FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Fall Hike

LOCATION: Yorkville, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: October 25, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Limit: 25

Let’s hike through the woods and marvel at the wonderful fall colors. This is a very wooded 3ish mile hike on dirt forest paths. Part of the path runs along a river. Hopefully we get to see some wildlife on this one.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Megan Vandermeer | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Beach Bash

LOCATION: Zion, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: August 29, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Limit: 10

Come with us as summer winds to a close!

We've got lakeshore wildlife and trails along the Dead River, and plenty of space for swimming and picnicking.

We'll have a snack potluck, toss a frisbee around and do a bit of swimming.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Summer Paddling

LOCATION: Elk Grove Village, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Rental Fees ($25 - $35/ hr)

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: July 25, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Limit: 15

Finally an event to give us an upper body workout. Kayaking!

It's summer, let's get out on the water. The place I have chosen has plenty of room to paddle around and should be suitable for beginners. So as long as you can get in and out of the boat, come join us. We can spend a fun hour (or 2?) paddling around.

You will be responsible for your own rental (purchased on site or by calling). Or you can bring your own small boat, canoe, or kayak if you have it. Prohibited is any inflatable watercraft, and stand up paddle boards.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Megan Vandermeer | Wisconsin Ambassador

ACTIVITY: River Walk

LOCATION: Wadsworth, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: July 4, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Limit: 10

Wetlands are wonderful! They’re home to local flora, fauna, and help prevent flooding. We’ll be taking around a two-mile walk through the trails surrounding a restored wetland preserve in northeastern Illinois.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the WI FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Summer Picnic

LOCATION: Aurora, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: May 31, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes. Must remain leashed.

Limit: 30

Lets have a picnic. We can get together and hopefully enjoy nice weather and good food. The park has a sunken garden with tons of beautiful flowers. And there is a zoo that is free to enter. Lets do this picnic pot luck style. Bring something you enjoy as a dish to pass.

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps.

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Spring Bloom Hike

LOCATION: Bloomingdale, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: April 25, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes. Leash must be under 10 ft. long

Limit: 15

Let’s hike through the woods and find what has been growing this spring.

The park features a small lake, crushed limestone trails, and a section of nature reserve.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Frozen Falls Hike

LOCATION: Oglesby, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: February 15, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Limit: 24

In winter, snow blankets the park, woodlands turn white, and waterfalls freeze over.

Yes you read that right, frozen waterfalls! There are several cool (yes pun intended) waterfalls on this hike. The tallest one is over 100 feet tall, and if conditions are good ice climbers may be climbing it. Although we will not be. Ice climbing requires training, the proper gear, and special permits.

Distance will be somewhere between 4 and 5 miles with decent elevation changes. The trail will likely be packed snow or ice in the woods with plenty of stairs.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Esther Bourassa | Illinois Ambassador

ACTIVITY: River Eagle Spotting

LOCATION: Oswego, IL

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: January 18, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes. Dogs must remain on leash the entire time even if facility allows for leash free dogs.

Limit: 15

Come join me on a cold winter hike to see if we can spot any bald eagles hiding in the trees.

The path we will be on is cleared of snow in the winter and the walk will be between 2 and 3 miles depending on the weather and if we are getting a lot of sightings. It is also right on the river in an area where I have consistently seen eagles hang out in the past.

January is the prime time of the year as eagles will typically stay just south of where the river freezes over.

Registration Closed

If you haven’t joined the IL FB group you can do so here!