Plan Your Adventure!
General Admission
Winter Prices*
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Seniors (65+) $6
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Ages 13+ $8
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Ages 3-12 $6
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Ages 2 & Under FREE
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WPP Members FREE
*Winter prices are good Nov 1 – Spring. These rates do not apply to special events.
Park Membership
All memberships include unlimited FREE admission to Wildlife Prairie Park, early Park access for fishing during summer months, discounts on educational classes and programs, Park merchandise, concessions, and more!
Please Note
No admittance will be allowed within one hour of the listed closing time; this is to ensure our visitors will have at least one hour to enjoy the Park.
Discounted rates are valid during normal daytime operating hours only and cannot be applied to groups arriving in buses or who otherwise qualify for another reduced rate. Discount coupons cannot be combined with already discounted rates. Discounted rates are unavailable if arriving near the end of the business day.
For special event pricing, please see that event when it becomes available, or feel free to inquire about our special rates at (309) 676-0998.
Admission includes access to our West Side property. Please ask the ticket gate staff for a pass if you plan on also accessing the West Side.
Hours & Location
Park Hours
Mon – Sun: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Animal Trails
Mon – Sun: 9 am to 4 pm
Forest Hall Wildlife & Education Center
Mon – Sun: 9 am to 4 pm
Snack Shack
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Adventure Store
Wed – Sun: 11 am to 4 pm
Members Only Fishing
Mon – Sun: Opens at 7:30 am
In order to ensure each guest is able to enjoy the Park, we limit the last admission to the Park one hour before closing. This provides at least an hour to enjoy the Park before we close for the day. For example, we stop letting guests into the park at 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday and our staff will close access to the trails at 6pm. If you choose to spend time on the West Side of the park, disc golf, pump track, and bike trails are currently open until sunset.
Park is open year-round except for:
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Years Eve
- New Years Day
Park Address
3826 N Taylor Road, Hanna City, IL 61536
We are conveniently located 10 miles west of downtown Peoria, just 2.5 miles south of I-74.
Directions from I-74
Take exit 82 & follow signs to park
Directions from I-474
Take exit 3 & follow signs to park
Stay at the Park
There’s so much to do here, you might have trouble fitting it all into one day. Take advantage of our unique lodging options to stay overnight or for an entire weekend.
Park admission is FREE during your stay!
Prairie Zephyr Train
Take a ride on the famous Prairie Zephyr throughout the beautiful Wildlife Prairie Park. This relaxing and informative excursion takes you on two different loops through the quiet forests. Your ticket includes both loops and can be used to ride the entire trip, or you may take advantage of stops along the way at the Pioneer and Gollywhopper Pavilions. Your ticket allows you to re-board at your convenience and can be purchased at the Ticket Gate, Visitor Center, or on the train.
Ticket Prices
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All Day Pass $5
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. The train will only run during special events for the remainder of 2022.
Includes unlimited rides and re-boarding all day long. Ages 2 & under are FREE!
As a general rule, for an optimum train ride for our guests, we require minimum operating temperature in the spring and fall to a forecasted high of 50 degrees or higher. Also, if rain is in the forecast, train rides may be halted until clearer weather occurs.
We Need You!
Interested in becoming a train volunteer? We are looking to fill these positions now!
Adventure Trek
Climb aboard the air-conditioned Adventure Trek bus and get a behind the scenes tour and narration of Wildlife Prairie Park and its history. Besides seeing areas of the park many don’t see, you will take a tour through the bison and elk pasture and maybe get an up close and personal look at these magnificent animals.
Trek Schedule
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
The typical length of Adventure Trek is 45 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time to ensure the Trek can leave promptly at its scheduled time.
Ticket Prices
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Member $14
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Non-Member $16
Because seats fill up quickly, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. Children ages 2 & under may sit on a parent’s lap.
Please Note
We recommend bringing binoculars.
Inclement Weather Policy: If the Park cancels the Trek due to extreme inclement weather, a refund will be issued within 30 days. The decision to cancel will be made one hour prior to departure by the manager on duty.
Animal Behavior Note: Please remember these are wild animals. Some animal behaviors may determine a need to adjust the route of the trek. Your guide will make you aware if an adjustment needs to be made for safety reasons.
We will make every effort to see the herd in the pasture, however, it is not always possible.
Daily Programs & Activities
Keeper Chat on the Bricks
Mon – Sun: 11am
Daily chats may vary depending on weather and animal temperament.
Facebook Live
Thu, Fri & Sat: 2 pm (estimated time)
To see our Facebook Live videos, follow our Facebook page and make sure to turn on video notifications.
Bird Watching
Ask for an identification chart at the ticket gate and see if you can identify all the beautiful birds in our park!
Geocaching
Download the Geocaching app on your phone and hit the trails to look for treasure! Download for Apple | Download for Android
Kayak Rental
Your 1 hour kayak rental gives you access to the kayak of your choice on Saturdays only (weather permitting).
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Rental Prices
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Single Adult Kayak $15/hour
2 available
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Single Youth Kayak $15/hour
2 available (up to 150 lbs)
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Tandem Adult Kayak $30/hour
2 available
Please Note
An adult 18 years or older must be present. Online reservations only. A fee will be charged to booking credit card for lost or damaged kayaks.
Must complete waiver to reserve.
Reservations must be made by 5 pm the day prior for 9 am session, all other sessions can be reserved up to 1 hour prior to session.
Group Visits
Please call us at least 2 weeks in advance to reserve your group visit. We offer FREE admission for 2 leaders with 15 paid student attendees. Payment and discounts are based on actual attendance.
Group Rates ($1 Off Admission)
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Ages 13+ $8
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Ages 3-12 $5
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Ages 2 & under FREE
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Bus Drivers FREE
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WPP Members FREE
Qualifications
- Group pricing is not available without a reservation.
- In order to receive the leader discount, you must have the correct student to leader ratio.
- Upon arrival, your numbers cannot be more than 10% off the reservation numbers in order to receive the discount.
- Payment is required upon day of arrival.
Please Note
Group rates are valid only during normal daytime operating hours and are not available during special events unless otherwise noted. Special rates cannot be combined with any other discounts.
If the conditions stated under group rate qualifications are not met, General Admission rates will apply. No exceptions.
Call us at (309) 676-0998 ext. 312 to schedule
Dining Options
Snack Shack
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Snack Shack sells bottled drinks, candy, ice cream novelties, snacks, and sub sandwiches. We also have Wildlife Prairie Park branded items such as jams, blankets, flashlights, and ceramic mugs.
For our lodging guests we offer travel toiletries, firewood, charcoal, and s’mores ingredients to help make the most of your stay!
Bring a Picnic
If you bring your own picnic, please make sure to pickup all trash. While we love wildlife, we don’t want to encourage animals to eat food they shouldn’t be eating.
Pet Policy
For the safety and well-being of our guests and animals, Wildlife Prairie Park does not allow dogs or other pets inside the East Side gates. Because we are a zoological park we must have your cooperation with respect to safety requirements.
If you are to be accompanied by an emotional support dog, please take the dog directly from your car to your lodging and from your lodging to your car. Emotional support animals are not allowed to move about the park.
If you are to be accompanied by a licensed service dog, please present documentation at the entry gate and have the service dog in uniform while in the park. We must restrict service dogs from our animal trails and other locations where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog may be disruptive, causing the display animal to behave aggressively or become agitated. The service dog must be always on a leash and under control when outside of your lodge. When you arrive at the park our staff will be pleased to explain in which areas of the park a service dog may accompany you.
Know that our staff is committed to making your visit enjoyable. Wildlife Prairie Park is not responsible for harm or injury that your pet may receive while at the park.
Wildlife Prairie Park is a gem of the Midwest that is more unique than any other park or recreational facility. Our mission is to offer interactive nature-oriented educational and recreational activities that provide transformational experiences, inspiring conservation of the great outdoors. Our vision is to be the premier wildlife park that will be both the steward of the environment and preferred destination where families and friends learn about nature and create lasting memories. We have so much to offer, from animal trails and fishing lakes to educational programs, lodging, and more!