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Wildlife Prairie State Park – reviews, photos

3826 N. Taylor Rd., Peoria, IL
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3.5 of 5 stars 5 Reviews
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5 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Lakes Region, New Hampshire
1 review
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Exactly what we wanted”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2007
5
people found this review helpful

My parents only live a few miles from the park, but are unable to accommodate our family at this time. So, we shopped around for somewhere else to stay relatively close by, that was a family-friendly environment (something often hard to find, despite some claims), and something we would all enjoy. Wildlife was great!! It's not a 5-star hotel, but more entertaining (not to mention easier) than camping, with the same outdoors experience. I found the cost to be very reasonable, without a lot of silly charges that tend to jack-up the bill.

We found the cabin very clean, in good repair, and the kitchenette was great for keeping on-hand snacks for the kids. The staff was very courteous, and there was plenty of space for everyone (something I had been concerned about, based on the photos on their website). My husband took advantage of the fishing, and had pretty good luck. As it turned out, my parents spent more time with us at the park than we spent at their house. The kids ran all over creation, and I spent quite a bit of time sitting in the sun with a good book.

My mother is wheel-chair bound, and we were able to get her around most of the park, as well as the banquet facilities. Do yourself a favor, go ahead and spend the money on the Sunday brunch. Everyone found food they loved (a luxury for anyone with children), and we ate breakfast while watching the Bison!

My only minor gripe was that no one responded to my voice-mail or e-mails, and after 2 days I just called the park directly. The reservationist was very polite, and very apologetic that no one had returned our contacts.

All-in-all, it was a good time. I would recommend it for any families with children over aged 4 or so (under aged 4 and you may be in a panic with all the area to roam and being so close to the little pond)).

  • Liked — The overall experience
  • Disliked — A place to swim would be GREAT!
  • Stayed May 2007, travelled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 3 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
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Ask ilstu99 about Wildlife Prairie State Park
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Chicago
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
“So sad”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2007
12
people found this review helpful

We started out being very excited about staying at this state park. When booking, we were told by park staff that the "stable" was the highest quality for the two of us (my husband and me). Upon checking in (we were supposed to stay two nights), we were given the key to unit #1. We drove to the "stable" and went in to unit #1. It had an odor like a nursing home. The double bed in the back room was unmade. The two single beds in the front room were sagging with wear. There was a t.v. There was no phone. We went back to the check in area. The woman only stared/glared at my husband (he is the kindest gentlest person). She handed him a key for unit #2. We went back. It wasn't much better. All of the beds were made up. They were made up with those really crazy plastic covers that make loud noises when you try to turn over in bed at night. The beds were also sagging in this unit. We again went back, not wanting to spend $85 per night for this quality. She wanted to charge us for not having cancelled 72 hours in advance, but in the same breath told my husband that the housekeeper was sick and hadn't been working. She was trying to get him to agree to pay for NOT staying there. Creepy. They must have this reaction very often, otherwise she wouldn't have had the practice with her response!
We ended up in downtown Peoria at the Pere Marquette with a room that cost $115 and it had a full huge breakfast buffet included. It was clean, a huge king bed with clean sheets. It was a huge room and had free wireless internet and free local phone calls. It was walking distance to everything downtown.
I was so sad to learn that this state park is so poorly maintained. It would have been a wonderful place to stay and to wake up! There was a tiny pond behind the rooms. There was so much wildlife, lots of turtles. It wouldn't take much in the way of money to get this place up to legal and currently acceptable health standards.
The state of Illinois should be ashamed. They need to wake up and realize that they have a gem. They won't sell that gem as it is, they need to clean up their act.

  • Liked — The potential of a great place to stay near the outdoors
  • Disliked — The attitude of the employee on duty.
  • Stayed March 2007
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
    • 1 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
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Ask rward2121 about Wildlife Prairie State Park
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