Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria Heights, IL
Do you enjoy bird watching or hiking? Forest Park Nature Center is for you! Forest Park Nature Center offers seven miles of trails for hiking and nature enjoyment and is home to a gift shop that carries bird feeding and hiking necessities. Interested in learning more about nature and all that it entails? Forest Park Nature Center has classes for adults and children alike, covering topics from bats to bugs and everything in between. Guided hiking tours are also available.
Public Restrooms
Get to Forest Park Nature Center by bus using CityLink route #2
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
- A natural history museum and bird observation room
- A gift shop featuring bird feeding and hiking necessities
- A variety of educational programs
- Over 500 acres of dedicated Illinois State Nature Preserve
Forest Park Nature Center Hours
Nature Center – open year round
Building Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm
Trails – Open year round; daily dawn to dusk
Pets 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 HERE to learn more and purchase a membership!
Current Programming & Registration
Check out the PDF above for current and upcoming programing and events available at Forest Park Nature Center and our other environmental educational facilities through the Peoria Park District.
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.
