About us
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Unknown
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
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Do you love Hiking and Adventures?
Welcome to the Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group. We strive for adventures, fun, and friendships. This group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and meeting new people. We feature hikes for all skill levels, canoeing, camping, biking, social gatherings and other outdoor activities. These events are a great way to get out, meet people, and smell some fresh air. If you have a suggestion, please feel free to contact the Organizer or post them on “ideas for meetup” on the calendar page. Most of the activities are pretty tame, but any participation in this group is at your own risk. If you want to meet fun and adventurous people, this group is for you. Come join us. It will be an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Adventures are closer than you think!
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Get Involved:
We need Assistant Organizers and Event Hosts! If you don't see your preferred activity listed or a hike on your side of town, please volunteer by contacting the Organizer! You might be surprised just how many people are looking to do the same activity that you are. Other ways to volunteer would be a Greeter (Greet new members as they join the group.) or Monthly News Letter Editor (Write articles for a Monthly News Letter to be published on the message board.). We welcome Event & Group Sponsors who need some publicity for a great price!
Why not become a Hike Leader?
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Monthly Photo Contest:
We are having a Monthly Photo Contest. You have 1 month to upload your favorite photo. At the end of the month, the Assist Organizers will pick the top 12. We will then have a poll for voting on these 12. The members will be able to rate each picture from 1 to 10 rating. The photo with the highest ratings at the end of this month will win. This photo will then be used as the open page picture for following month. The only thing you receive are bragging rights.
Upload January Photos Here: https://www.meetup.com/ChicagoHOS/photos/799681/
Please name the photo and leave a comment about the photo.
So why not amaze the rest of the members with you photography skills?
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100 Miles Club and 200 Miles Club:
Are you looking for a Goal to reach? We have two clubs for you. You join the 100 Miles Club when you reach 100 Miles hiking a year with this group only (Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group). You join the 200 Miles Club when you reach 200 Miles hiking a year with any Meetup Groups (Windy City Hikers, this group, etc.). Your Meetup Names will be posted in the About Section in this group.
Let’s start counting those miles!
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Dues and Fees:
There are no membership dues to be part of this group. For prepay events, we will sometimes add up to three dollars, normally 1 to 2, to the payment to help out with the Meetup.com monthly fees.
For other events, example hikes, we suggest a 1 or 2 dollar donation at the start of the event. This is totally voluntary. No records will be kept for who donates and who doesn’t.
If you want to make a voluntary donation. Go to the top of this page and click on "Pay Online". Enter the amount you would like to donate. Donate any amount you like. This will be paid with Paypal.
We would personally prefer if people would donate their time as an Assistant Organizer or Hike Leader versus making a donation of money. Any help is very much appreciated.
Thank you!
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Other Recommended Outdoors Meetup Groups: If events are full on this group, why not see what these groups are up to.
The NW Burbs Camping Meetup Group
https://www.meetup.com/NWBurbs-Camping/
Southwest Suburbs Sports, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group
https://www.meetup.com/SWBurbsSOS/
Chicago Camping & Outdoors Adventure Group
https://www.meetup.com/ChicagoCampers/
Please support Outdoors Meetup Groups!
Upcoming events
21
REGISTRATION CLOSED-Nature Arts for Health: Cyanotype Printing @ Caldwell Woods
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, 6350 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL, USREGISTRATION CLOSED. if you are on the registration list, you should have received a confirmation email, phone call, or text. If you are unsure of your registration status, contact northzoneprogram@cookcountyil.gov or 773-758-8899.
Experience the positive interaction between nature art and wellness in this fun, interactive art class. Led by University of Illinois-Extension.
This event is brought to you by the North Zone team. The Forest Preserves of Cook County is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. To obtain information about accommodations or request an accommodation please contact 708-771-1573 or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov. Please give us 72 hours notice in advance of the program to process the request.
For additional information about accessibility visit our website.15 attendees
Hike McHenry, Hickory Grove Highlands & Lyons prairie 8.5, 7.5, 3 mile options
Hickory Grove Conservation Area, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Rd, Cary, IL, USOptional post hike lunch
TBDGoogle map pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NW21kDNYyvEidoEL8?g_st=icSummary
We haven't been here since January of 2025. Please know that areas of this hike will be in full sun for at least 2+ miles. Its very important to prepare for this in higher temperatures. You may want to wear a sun hat and bring sun screen. As always, bring water to hydrate. This hike features some forest but a good portion is open meadows which will have beautiful flowers blooming.The trails on this hike are what we last did in January 2025. It may be revised to include new areas that were previously overgrown and impassable in 2022. As the date gets closer I'll check if the overgrown area is accessible. This could potentially include more shaded areas. Also, the hike distances and descriptions may change if new areas are covered.
This will not affect hike 1.This hike is cross posted with Chicagoland Trailblazers Hiking
https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/315325339
Group and my guest rsvp includes members of the group.Hike 1: 3 miles
Finish this portion before 11am.
We'll start out in the Hickory Grove Highlands section. Trails in this section are a combination of mowed grass and packed dirt. Its 75% open meadow and woodland. Only 25% forest and very pretty.
We will end up back at the parking lot.Hike 2: ~ 8.5 miles, 7.5 miles shorter option if weather is extreme
Estimating 3 to 4 hours depending on how far the group hikes. There is an easy split off that allows us to cut it short or do the longer 8.5 mile loop. We will announce where to head back for 7.5 miles. Its easy to find your way back.The trail will continue into Lyons Prairie and Marsh.
It features thickly forested tall hickory trees, well-maintained rustic packed-dirt trails and is lovely! Its an easy hike but not entirely flat. The terrain has gentle rolling hills and like most rustic forest walks you have to watch for roots and rocks. Trails are packed dirt in the forest and mowed grass in prairie. Some areas are meadow and a big bald eagle nest was visible in 2025.Location
There are multiple parking lots.
Meet at Hickory Grove Highlands which has a big parking lot (75+ cars).
500 Hickory Nut Grove LN Cary18 attendees
Fitness Hike: 3 miles @ Yankee Woods
Yankee Woods, 16520 Central Ave, Oak Forest, il, USThis Meetup is with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. You will meet FPCC staff or volunteers onsite.
Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes are faster paced with little to no stopping or interpretation.
This is a 3 mile hike on a paved loop trail.
More information visit our website: https://fpdcc.com/event/fitness-hike-41/
This program is brought to you by the South Zone Team. Please email southzoneprogram@cookcountyil.gov with questions.
12 attendees
Past events
3659
Group links
Members
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