Hiking at Wildlife Prairie Park
Hiking has always been one of the great activities at the Park. In the main park (“East Side”) you will find 3-foot-wide trails that are perfect for families and individuals who want to be immersed in the beauty of the park’s natural surroundings. There are over 25 miles of groomed trails throughout the Park. In the winter, many of these trails become a mecca for XC skiing.
Our hiking trails are well groomed and maintained but can be rugged in some areas, so please wear good shoes and we suggest bringing bug spray!
On the Westside many people also enjoy hiking the varied terrain of the disc golf course. The championship course is 3.5 miles long and is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of several lakes. Pick up a hiking map at the main gate or visitor center.
Did you see Wildlife Prairie Park was named one of the Top 10 Best Hikes in Central Illinois? We are so honored to be among some great hiking destinations in the area!
2024 Hiking Challenges
4 Mile Hiking Challenge
Available All Year!
Explore Wildlife’s Westside by immersing yourself in nature with this self-guided, selfie-snapping hike. Take a selfie at all 9 of the designated spots. Then share on social media to earn a free, one of a kind souvenir sticker! Register at the Ticket Gate before starting. Allow 3 hours to complete.
5 Mile Hiking Challenge
Available All Year!
Invest the day to scout the undulating, wooded trails of the Kickapoo Creek flood plain which skirt the perimeter of the main park. Take a selfie at the 9 designated selfie stations. After uploading to social media earn a free, one of a kind souvenir sticker! Register at the Ticket Gate before starting.
Wildlife Walkers - 200 miles
June 1st, 2024 – May 31st, 2025
Are you a fitness walker? Would you like to start a fitness walking routine? Get motivated by joining Wildlife Walkers, a year long walking program designed to improve your cardio-fitness while enjoying the outdoors. Walk on our 1or 2 mile shaded, mowed, and wide walking loops. Log your miles on our program’s leader board to watch your steps add up! Earn fun stickers and prizes as you complete each level. Walk with friends on a Volunteer Lead group walk or walk when it is convenient for you. All mileage walked at WPP will count towards your leaderboard. For more information or to register, visit the Gift Shop in the Visitor Center. Mileage walked will also count towards The Bobcat or Bison Challenges.
Bobcat 75
June 1st – August 31st, 2024
The Bobcat Challenge is designed for those who like to hike regularly. Over the course of 3 months, June 1st to August 31st, hike 75 miles on our 24 miles of beautiful trails at Wildlife Prairie Park. Your entry fee covers RaceRoster.com, which will e-track your mileage on an imaginary adventure from the Mississippi River in Oquawka, IL to your return to WPP. Once your adventure is completed, you will receive an amazing, exclusive Bobcat 75 Mile Challenge T-shirt. Use any free GPS app to figure your distances and manually enter the miles onto your dashboard at RaceRoster. At the end of August, you can register for the Bison 300 and your Bobcat 75 mileage will apply!
Bison 300
June 1st, 2024 – May 31st, 2025
The Bison Challenge is designed for those who like to hike regularly. Over the course of 12 months, June 1st to May 31st, hike 300 miles on our 24 miles of beautiful trails at Wildlife Prairie Park. Your entry fee covers RaceRoster.com which will e-track your mileage on an imaginary adventure from the River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota to your return to WPP. Once your adventure is completed you will receive an amazing, exclusive Bison 300 Mile Challenge T-shirt. Use any free GPS app to figure your distances and manually enter the miles onto your dashboard at RaceRoster. Register for the Bobcat 75 and you get duel credit for the first 75 miles.
2024 Trail Closings
2024 West Side Hiking Trail Closings
June 1: West Side is closed until Noon for the Illinois Wilds Triathlon.
July 31 – August 4: West Side mountain biking trails, hiking trails, and disc golf course closed for the Ledgestone Open Disc Golf Tournament.
November 22 – 24: Certain trails closed for safety. Trails leading to Southwest Meadow and trails that lead to Confluence including Haul Road and the lower part of Malibu are closed.
December 5 – 8: Certain trails closed for safety. Trails leading to Southwest Meadow and trails that lead to Confluence including Haul Road and the lower part of Malibu are closed.
2024 Flood Plain Trail Closings
November 22 – 24: Closed for safety
December 5 – 8: Closed for safety
