SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for May 2026.

May 1
Sahara Woods off-highway vehicle trails reopen for the season
Sahara Woods State Recreation Area
Carrier Mills | Saline County
Sahara Woods near Carrier Mills offers nearly 30 miles of landscaped off-highway vehicle trails for riders’ enjoyment. The rails reopen for the season on May 1. The trails are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday each week until winter. Rules and guidelines can be found online, along with registration forms, waivers of liability, and instructions for purchasing ride permits.

May 1
Unraveling the Mysteries of Nightjars
Cache River Wetlands Center
Cypress | Johnson County
Head to the Cache River State Natural Area for a special evening program about the mysterious and fascinating nightjars. These birds are unique and often heard but rarely seen in southern Illinois. The program will be led by the Southern Illinois University Population Estimation and Spatial Ecology (PEASE) Lab, part of the university’s Forestry Program. Visit the park’s Facebook for additional details.

May 1
Amphibian Night Hike
Giant City State Park
Makanda | Jackson County
Join Jeremy Schumacher, local forester and amphibian enthusiast, as he leads a fun evening hike to identify calls and search for amphibians during the spring breeding season. Call 618-457-4836 to register. Follow Giant City State Park on Facebook for additional information.

May 2
Dickson Mounds Museum community listening session
Lewistown Public Library
Lewistown | Fulton County
The Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds will host a series of community listening sessions to gather public input as the museum plans for its future. The public is invited to share their experiences, memories and ideas for the Dickson Mounds Museum. Meeting is from 11 a.m. to noon at the Lewistown Public Library, 1126 N. Main St. For more information, call 309-547-3721.

May 2
Animals Around the World Live
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby | LaSalle County
The public is invited to learn about animals from six continents, including bats, sloths, snakes and more. Tickets will be available at the visitor center the day of the event. Follow Starved Rock State Park on Facebook for additional information.

May 4
Illinois History Day
Crown Plaza
Springfield | Sangamon County
Illinois History Day is a program of the Illinois State Museum and is affiliated with National History Day, a nationwide program that engages students in historical research, interpretation and creative presentation. Learn more at illinoisstatemuseum.org.

May 6
Dickson Mounds Museum community listening session
Spoon River College-Havana Campus
Havana | Mason County
The Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds will host a series of community listening sessions to gather public input as the museum plans for its future. The public is invited to share their experiences, memories and ideas for the Dickson Mounds Museum. Meeting is from 1-2 p.m. at Spoon River College-Havana Campus, 324 E. Randolph St., in Havana. For more information, call 309-547-3721.

May 7
Tot Time: Adventures in Archaeology
Dickson Mounds Museum
Lewistown | Fulton County
Tots and their caretakers will enjoy learning how archaeologists work to understand the past and about the tools and technologies they use. The program is free and open to the public. Learn more on the Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds website.

May 9
Kid’s Crafter-noon
Dickson Mounds Museum
Lewistown | Fulton County
Spend an afternoon making arts and crafts at the museum. Supplies and materials will be available for children to create pieces of art to take home. All ages are welcome with adult supervision. Admission is free. Learn more on the Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds website.

May 7
Senior social and stroll
Giant City State Park
Makanda | Jackson County
Stop by the visitor center for a snack and coffee before taking a walk to view the blooming flowers and greenery. Call 618-457-4836 to register. Follow Giant City State Park on Facebook for additional information.

May 7
Mindfulness Practices: Cultivating Heart Centered Communities
Online
The Illinois State Museum commemorates Mental Health Awareness week with a special online mindfulness program for educators and students. Join curator of art and history education Cori Claycomb to discuss mindfulness techniques and explore how they can benefit both educators and students during difficult times. Register online.

May 7-14
Fifth spring turkey shotgun season for the north zone
Northern Illinois
View information about upcoming turkey hunting seasons, furbearer trapping and hunting, plus lottery dates for deer, turkey and dove on the Hunt Illinois website.

May 9
Bird hike with a naturalist
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby | LaSalle County
The public is invited to explore Illinois Canyon at Starved Rock State Park while learning how to identify migrating birds by sound, flight, color, and habitat. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from the visitor center. Register at the park’s Eventbrite site.

May 9
Wildflower walk
Walnut Point State Park
Oakland | Coles County
Explore the blooming wildflowers and greenery along the trails of Walnut Point State Park. A park interpreter will lead the guided walk and share interesting information about the park’s natural habitat.

May 9
World Migratory Bird Day guided hike
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
Zion | Lake County
Explore diverse Illinois habitats including forests, wetlands and dunes during this World Migratory Bird Day guided hike. Participants will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from IDNR staff to share. Visit Illinois Beach State Park online to learn more.

May 9-10
Lewis and Clark Departure Day
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
Hartford | LaSalle County
Military reenactors, historic artisans and visitors will commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s departure in 1804. View a replica of the White Pirogue that Lewis and Clark explored in. Learn more at campdubois.com.

May 10
Song Bag Concert Series
Carl Sandburg State Historic Site
Galesburg | Knox County
Enjoy folk, Americana and singer-songwriter music on the second Sunday of the month at Carl Sandburg State Historic Site. A $5 donation is suggested. Learn more at sandburg.org.

May 11
Lottery 2 opens for deer firearm season
Statewide
The second lottery for deer firearm and muzzleloader seasons opens through June 30. Unsuccessful Illinois residents who applied in the first lottery drawing but were not awarded a permit, as well as non-residents, may apply. Visit Hunt Illinois for more information.

May 14
Final day for over-the-counter spring turkey permit sales
Statewide
Spring turkey permits are available on a first-come-first-served basis until quotas have been met for a particular county. Go online to huntillinois.org for additional information and a breakdown of permits available for over-the-counter purchase by license vendors in each county.

May 16
Family Day at the Mansion
David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
Bloomington | McLean County
Bring the family and enjoy an afternoon at the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington with fun activities including 19th-century dress-up, music, art, nature projects, games, a scavenger hunt and treats. Visit David Davis Mansion on Facebook for additional details.

May 16-22
National Safe Boating Week
Illinois and nationwide
Join IDNR, the National Safe Boating Council and other partners in pledging to be safe and responsible when spending time on the water. Wear a life jacket and never operate a watercraft while intoxicated.

May 23
Memorial Day Picnic and Vintage Base Ball
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
Charleston | Coles County
The public is invited to join a 19th-century-style base ball game. (Did you know base ball was spelled as two words in the mid-1800s before eventually evolving into one word?) Visitors can play or just watch. Drinks and snacks will be available. This is a free event. Visit lincolnlogcabin.org for additional details.

May 23
Miles of Memories Route 66 exhibit opens
Illinois State Museum
Springfield | Sangamon County
Celebrate the centennial of the Mother Road, historic Route 66. View neon signs, listen to stories and more at this new exhibit at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. The exhibit will be open through April 2027. Learn more at illinoisstatemuseum.org.

May 23
Campground night hike
Giant City State Park
Makanda | Jackson County
Join SIU STEM Education Research Center experiential educator Steve Gariepy for an interpretive walk through the Giant City uplands as day shifts to night. Call 618-457-4836 for more information or to register. Follow Giant City State Park on Facebook for additional information.

May 25
Holiday hike
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby | LaSalle County
Enjoy a special Memorial Day hike at Starved Rock State Park. Explore and learn about the park’s trails, canyons and waterfalls with an IDNR naturalist. Follow Starved Rock State Park on Facebook.

May 31
Champagne British Car Show
David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
Bloomington | McLean County
More than 100 vehicles of various makes, models and years manufactured in the United Kingdom are the focus of this popular summer event at the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington. The event is co-sponsored by the Illinois Flat Land British Car Club. Visitors will enjoy live music and concessions on the mansion lawn while exploring rows of unique cars and motorcycles. Go online for more information.

Follow IDNR on Facebook and its online calendar of events for further information. View the full list of IDNR seasonal events online.

About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR’s work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.