Bigfoot Hike
2026-10-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Learn about our most famous cryptid and the history of local sightings and recorded sounds, then take a hike to try and find the “big guy” ourselves. We will also learn about the other nocturnal creatures of the forest and then wrap it all up with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows around the fire.
$5/person. Register online by October 22.
Register Online for Bigfoot Hike

Saturday Stroll
2026-10-24 10:00, 2026-10-31 10:00, 2026-11-07 10:00, 2026-11-14 10:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Visit Rock Springs Nature Center to join a naturalist on a stroll along a trail. Come once or come every Saturday – nature is sure to show us something new each week!
Event requirements
Dress for the weather. Free. No registration required.

Dulcimer Club
2026-10-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers.
Event requirements
None
Free
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
2026-10-24 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-31 13:00 - 16:00 | Homestead Prairie Farm, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there, located at Rock Springs Conservation Area.
>> Read more about Homestead Prairie Farm

Sunday Storytime
2026-10-25 14:00, 2026-11-01 14:00, 2026-11-08 14:00, 2026-11-15 14:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Stop by the Children’s Room at Rock Springs Nature Center for stories, songs, and fun! We will read some nature stories, move our bodies, and spark some curiosity about the world around us.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.

Creepy Critter Crawl
2026-10-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Discover some of the ‘spooky’ critters that call Illinois home in this interactive program! We will learn about animals like bats and spiders, do a craft, and go on a hike to see what we can find.
$3/person. Register online by October 23.
Register Online for Creepy Critter Crawl

Oglesby Mansion Open House
2026-10-25 14:00 - 2027-01-25 16:00 | Oglesby Mansion, 421 W. William St., Decatur, IL, 62522, United States
Tour the restored home of Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby. Encounter the lives of its family members and explore their late 1800s lifestyle.
$5/adult and $2/child
The Oglesby Mansion is located at 421 W. William St. in Decatur, IL.
>> Learn more about the Oglesby Mansion

Barn Colony Artists
2026-11-01 - 2026-12-31 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
North & South Galleries
Discover works in watercolor, pastels, oil, and mixed media depicting subjects from nature to portraits by talented artists in our community.

Clever Crows Mini Camp
2026-11-03 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-11-05 09:30 - 10:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Children ages 1 through 5 will explore nature with an adult companion through crafts, activities, songs, and stories.
In this hour long camp, children will learn to analyze their surroundings and begin their love of exploration of the outside world through crafts, activities, songs, stories and hikes. These camps are a great stepping stone for little ones to spend time with other children and have the comfort of a loved one nearby.
In Clever Crows, children will discover some cool facts about one of our largest and smartest resident birds.
$12/child. Online registration required.
Dress for short outdoor excursions. A snack and bottle of water will be available for each child. Register online by noon the day before camp. Location for these programs will be downstairs in the Monarch Classroom in the new area in the lower level.
Register Online for Clever Crows

60th Anniversary Open House
2026-11-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Stop by the new Indoor-Outdoor Classroom to help us celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Macon County Conservation District! Enjoy live music, refreshments, and a walk down memory lane.
Free. No registration required.

3D Archery and Atlatl Throwing
2026-11-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Learn how early hunters used atlatls – prehistoric spear-throwers – to hunt for food, then try your hand at throwing one! We will also have composite bows to practice hitting inanimate, 3D targets.
We will meet at the Information Shelter, located at the north end of the park lot. Instructions provided for beginners, experienced archers are welcome.
$5/person. Register online by November 6.
Register Online for this Event

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-11-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Enjoy live bluegrass tunes at the monthly Acoustic Music Jam. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune, or simply enjoy the talents of these volunteer musicians.
Event requirements
None
Free
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

Homeschool Program: Life Cycles
2026-11-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Homeschool children ages 5-15 can join a naturalist and explore nature and history topics through discussion, hands-on activities, crafts, and games. Homeschool students will spend time indoors and outdoors, investigating concepts and engaging with nature.
Learn about some of the unique life cycles in the animal world, from dragonflies to salamanders.
Event requirements
Register online by November 9.
$15/child.

Register Online for this Event

Nature Center Open, Offices Closed for Veterans Day
2026-11-11 | IL
Rock Springs Nature Center will be open for its regular hours. The business offices will be closed for the Veterans Day holiday.

Candlelight Tour
2026-11-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Homestead Prairie Farm, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Electricity and modern conveniences were not always at our fingertips. Glimpse what an evening in the 1860s was like at Homestead Prairie Farm, lit by candlelight and lamplight, as guides in period clothing walk you through the home.
Free. No registration required.

Sneaky Raccoons Mini Camp
2026-11-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-11-19 09:30 - 10:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Children ages 1 through 5 will explore nature with an adult companion through crafts, activities, songs, and stories.
In this hour long camp, children will learn to analyze their surroundings and begin their love of exploration of the outside world through crafts, activities, songs, stories and hikes. These camps are a great stepping stone for little ones to spend time with other children and have the comfort of a loved one nearby.
Why do raccoons wear a mask and what are they up to? In Sneaky Raccoons, children will learn this and more as we explore the lives of these cunning critters.
$12/child. Online registration required.
Dress for short outdoor excursions. A snack and bottle of water will be available for each child. Register online by noon the day before camp. Location for these programs will be downstairs in the Monarch Classroom in the new area in the lower level.
Register Online for Sneaky Raccoons

Van Trip to the Field Museum
2026-11-18 09:00 - 20:00 | IL
Travel with us to Chicago to visit the Field Museum, one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Enjoy exhibits featuring dinosaurs, birds, scientists, and even Pokémon fossils! Base admission is free on Wednesdays; certain add-ons may require payment.
$45/person covers transportation; lunch and museum extras are not included. There is a restaurant on-site.
Register online by November 17.
Register Online for this Van Trip

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
2026-11-18 17:30 - 18:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
All meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month at the Rock Springs Nature Center at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified or notified.
