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Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

9800 Willow Springs Rd | La Grange

About

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is a Forest Preserves of Cook County site in the Palos Preserves featuring live native animals, exhibits, trails, and an accessible garden. The original one-room schoolhouse dates to 1886 and the site was reopened as a nature center in 1955, making it a long-loved, family-friendly destination just southwest of the city. Set amid woods, ponds, and prairie, it’s a low-key, educational venue with easy trail connections and seasonal programming.

Getting there

Parking

On-site parking lot at the nature center; for larger events, overflow parking is directed to the Camp Kiwanis Equestrian Staging Area on Willow Springs Rd with signed Yellow Trail access to the center; no shuttle service noted.

Public transit

No direct CTA or Pace bus access; the nearest Metra stop is Willow Springs on the Heritage Corridor about 1.5 miles north (limited service); rideshare or driving is recommended.