Forest Park Nature Center

Phone: 309.686.3360

5809 North Forest Park Drive
Peoria Heights, IL

Nestled in the heart of Peoria, Forest Park Nature Center is a 540-acre preserve offering a peaceful escape into nature. Visitors can explore over 7 miles of hiking trails that wind through diverse habitats including open meadows, lush forests, and prairie landscapes. The Nature Center features an interpretive building with educational exhibits, a bird observation room, and a natural gift shop filled with unique eco-friendly finds. Beyond the trails, Forest Park offers year-round programming—from homeschool classes and nature workshops to guided hikes and seasonal events—inviting all ages to discover, learn, and connect with the outdoors. As a protected Illinois State Nature Preserve, Forest Park serves as a haven for wildlife and a favorite destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and families seeking to experience the natural world right in the Peoria Park District.

Get to Forest Park Nature Center by bus using CityLink. Check out bus routes HERE.

Pet Policy

As a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve, dogs and other pets are not allowed at this facility or on the trails! With that designation from the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, comes stricter rules about what can happen at these sites due to their rare and unique ecological value.

Amenities

Rentals
Classes
Field Trips
Trails / Hiking
Birthday Parties
Shelters
Public Restrooms
Picnic Tables
Special Events

Forest Park Nature Center (FPNC) Members receive discounts on programs at FPNC and other Peoria Park District environmental facilities. Members receive a 10% discount of merchandise in the Trailhead Nature Store, the quarterly publication of Footprints and higher levels receive discounts on birthday parties and facility rentals. All levels allow reciprocal benefits to other environmental centers across the country through the ANCA which is the Association of Nature Center Administrators. This list can be found at natctr.org and can change as nature centers evolve.

Membership directly impacts environmental education programs at the Peoria Park District for hundreds of people. It helps with the management and care for land that Peoria Park District preserves and protects. Becoming a member helps to support recreational opportunities like hiking, trail walking and running, including the ability to “just be” in nature! We encourage you to become a steward of Forest Park Nature Center and become a member by clicking the button below!

Membership Information

The Nature Center: Open year-round. Trails: Open year-round; daily dawn to dusk

Building hours differ depending on season:

April – October: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
November-March: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, CLOSED Sunday

Pets are prohibited!

Some wheelchair accessible trails

Visit us today and see all the unique products that we offer! Become a FPNC member and save 10%. Click the button below to learn more!

Membership Information

Many of our classes, programs and events require advanced online registration. When noted, please use the links below to register. Some require phone or e-mail reservations/inquiries.

*All classes and programs for Luthy Botanical Garden that require online registration, can be found here.

The Nature Center is proud to be a site along the Illinois River Road. Nestled in the beautiful forested bluffs of the Illinois River, visitors to this unique 540-acre Nature Center and Preserve will experience the natural realm of Illinois, where they will find:

Seven miles of hiking trails through both forested woodlands and prairie openings
Over 500 acres of dedicated Illinois State Nature Preserve

Trail Map

Will your next hike at Forest Park Nature Center count towards a special incentive gift? Join our Hundred Mile Hiker Club and after completing 100 miles receive a special T-shirt, then register to receive an exclusive, fully embroidered Hundred Mile Hiker Patch at 250 miles. After completing 250 miles, you are eligible to register for 500 miles to receive a lapel pin. Registration fees are $15 and are payable at the Trailhead Nature Store.

Support the care of Forest Park Nature Center’s resident animal ambassadors through a symbolic adoption! Your support helps provide nutritious food, veterinary care, enrichment, and other daily needs.

Choose from E.T. the Eastern Box Turtle, Tori Rose the Ornate Box Turtle, Dip, Dot & Moonpie the North American Wood Turtles, Curry the Corn Snake, Sully the Salamander, Toby the Tarantula, or our Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

All packages include: an animal photo, a fact sheet, and an adoption certificate for the animal of your choice.

Adoption Levels

Animal Lover | $25
E-mailed adoption package.

Animal Helper | $50
Mailed adoption package plus a 15-minute animal interaction.

Animal Ambassador | $75
Mailed adoption package, 30-minute animal interaction, admission for two to an eligible FPNC program, and 10% off at the Trailhead Nature Store.

Animal Champion | $100
Mailed adoption package, 30-minute animal interaction, admission for four to an eligible FPNC program, and 20% off at the Trailhead Nature Store.

To adopt an animal, please visit the Trailhead Nature Store.

Adoptions are symbolic. Animal interactions vary by species and are subject to animal welfare considerations and staff availability.

From time to time, you’ll find that this location undergoes a Prescribed Burn. Our PPD team has determined the following parks would benefit from controlled burns as means of preserving rare and endangered habitats:

Camp Wokanda
Detweiller Park
Donovan Park
Forest Park
Grand View Drive Park
Robinson Park
Singing Woods Nature Preserve
Springdale Savanna
Sommer Farm

The controlled application of fire, under specific weather conditions, to restore a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and resiliency, and reduce wildfire risk. The Burn Crew are trained fire experts, aware of fire behavior and control techniques, that follow nationally set standards to ensure the safety of the crew, nearby residents and private property. Learn more about the importance of this by clicking the button below.

Prescribed Burn

Forest Park Nature Center

Pet Policy

Amenities

Adoption Levels

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