Wildlife Prairie Park

Name

Wildlife Prairie Park

Legal name

Wildlife Prairie Park

Website

https://wildlifeprairiepark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wildlife Prairie Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoological park founded in 1978 in Hanna City, Illinois, operating 1,800 acres with 180+ native animals and 24 miles of trails, delivering admissions, memberships, lodging, recreation, education, and special events to families, outdoor enthusiasts, educational groups, event hosts, and donors in Central Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Park Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks (THAAAFAD), Birding & Wildlife Observation Lodges (THAGAIAK), National/State Park Campgrounds & Public Campgrounds (THAMAJAI)

Keywords

• Wildlife park admission
• Annual membership programs
• Outdoor recreation activities
• Nature education programs
• Special event venues

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanna City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Park Admission: Revenue from daily park admission tickets for visitors
2. Memberships: Annual memberships including Individual ($85), Family ($125), Grandparent ($115), Member Plus 3 ($135), Keeper's Club ($350), and VIA ($400) providing unlimited free admission and various benefits
3. Lodging: Cabin rentals, glamping, camping, and unique accommodations starting at $98 per night
4. Retail and Food: Gift shop merchandise and snack shack food purchases
5. Special Events: Revenue from special events including Wild Nights, Wildlife Scary Park, Santa's Wildlife Express, weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions, and private events
6. Donations and Bison Buddies Visionary Society: Tax-deductible donations as a 501c3 nonprofit, including Bison Buddies Visionary Society memberships ($1,000-$25,000) and specific fund donations for Animal Care & Feeding and Anniversary Gala
7. Recreation Activities: Revenue from activities including kayak rentals, train rides ($7/person), laser tag, and adventure experiences

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wildlife Prairie Park operates a 1,800-acre zoological park in Central Illinois featuring more than 180 native animals across 60+ species, including bison, black bears, cougars, elk, and wolves. The park sells day admission, multi-tier annual memberships, overnight lodging (cabins, glamping, tent camping, caboose), wildlife encounters, recreation activities (Prairie Zephyr train, kayaking, hiking, biking), educational field trips, and event venues for weddings, corporate retreats, and family reunions, supported by an integrated e-commerce platform and on-site gift shop.

Product overview

Wildlife Prairie Park is a 1,800-acre zoological park and 501c3 non-profit organization located west of Peoria, Illinois. The park offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services centered on wildlife conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. Core offerings include day admission and annual membership programs (Individual, Grandparent, Family, Member Plus 3, Keeper's Club, and VIA memberships), lodging accommodations (cabins, camping, glamping, and caboose stays), and wildlife viewing experiences featuring over 180 animals across 60+ species. Recreation activities include the Prairie Zephyr Train, kayaking, laser tag, disc golf, biking, and hiking on 24 miles of trails. Educational programming encompasses field trips and conservation connection workshops. The park also hosts special events including Wild Nights evening programming, Night Hikes, Critters and Cocktails, and serves as a venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and family reunions. The VIA (Very Important Access) membership provides specialized access for anglers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts to seven fishing lakes. Additionally, the Bison Buddies Visionary Society offers major donor recognition tiers from $1,000 to $25,000. The park operates year-round with no tax revenue or subsidies, relying on admissions, memberships, donations, and event hosting for funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Park Admission Day passes providing access to the 1,800-acre zoological park featuring more than 180 native animals across 60+ species, including bison, black bears, cougars, elk, and wolves, along with 24 miles of trails and seven stocked fishing lakes. Open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.
• Annual Membership Programs Annual memberships including Individual ($85), Grandparent ($115), Family ($125), Member Plus 3 ($135), Keeper's Club ($350), and VIA (Very Important Access) ($400), all providing unlimited free park admission for 12 months plus varying benefits including one-time train tickets, guest passes, early park access, and personal park tours.
• Lodging Accommodations Overnight stays including cabins, glamping, tent camping, and unique caboose accommodations starting at $98 per night, providing modern lodging within the park grounds for multi-day wildlife and recreation experiences.
• Private Animal Feeding & Encounter Up-close paid experiences with wolves, black bears, cougars, bison, and elk through feeding and encounter programs for visitors seeking direct animal interactions.
• Prairie Zephyr Train Rides Scenic train rides through the park offered separately or bundled with memberships at $7 per person and as a 20-ticket package for $100, available March 28 through September 27 during the operating season.
• Kayak Rentals Kayak rentals and paddling experiences on the park's seven lakes (Beaver Lake, Deep Lake, North Lake, Taylor Lake, East Horseshoe Lake, West Horseshoe Lake, and Caboose Lake plus Turtle Pond), with free fishing kayak rentals included for VIA members.
• Educational Field Trips Immersive nature-based educational programs for school groups with engaging wildlife exhibits and knowledgeable staff, plus Conservation Connection workshops ($5 non-members, free for members).
• Event Hosting (Weddings, Corporate Retreats, Family Reunions) Scenic venue rental for special events including weddings, holiday parties, corporate retreats, and family reunions, offering customizable packages set against the park's natural landscape and wildlife exhibits.
• Wild Nights Event Series Extended evening park hours every Friday from June through September with special activities, live music concerts, Night Hikes, Critters and Cocktails mixology events, and discounted admission ($5 non-member kids, $10 non-member adults, free for WPP members).
• Night Hikes Program Themed nighttime hiking experiences including astronomical tours with the Peoria Astronomical Society, owl prowls, guided meditation, and creatures of the night programs, priced at $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
• Bison Buddies Visionary Society Donor Program Major donor recognition program with five giving tiers—YANASI ($1,000), AYANI ($2,500), BISHEE ($5,000), TATANKA ($10,000), and PIJAKI ($25,000)—offering exclusive invitations, additional guest and train passes, branded gear, free kayak rentals, behind-the-scenes tours, complimentary lodging stays, private dinners, and website recognition.
• Gift Shop On-site and online retail store offering Wildlife Prairie Park branded merchandise, plush animals, snacks, and souvenirs, with the physical shop open Monday-Friday 9 AM - 4 PM and Saturday-Sunday 9 AM - 4 PM.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• National Bison AssociationminorOthersWildlife Prairie Park is affiliated with the National Bison Association, supporting bison conservation efforts and connecting with the broader bison community.
• Illinois Indiana Bison AssociationminorOthersRegional bison association connecting Wildlife Prairie Park with regional bison conservation efforts and community.
• Illinois Association of MuseumsminorOthersWildlife Prairie Park is a member of the Illinois Association of Museums, connecting with the museum and cultural institution community in Illinois.
• Peoria Astronomical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with the Peoria Astronomical Society for Night Hike Astronomical Tours, providing educational astronomical experiences for park visitors on designated dates.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Niabi Zoo: Small Midwestern zoo in Coal Valley, IL featuring native wildlife, memberships, and educational programs; close in size, geography, and mission to Wildlife Prairie Park.
• Safari West: Wildlife preserve and safari park in Sonoma, CA offering native and exotic animal viewing, lodging (glamping/tents), and guided tours; comparable mix of wildlife park, lodging, and educational experiences.
• Grant's Farm (Anheuser-Busch): Midwest wildlife park with native animal exhibits including bison, elk, and deer, offering admission-based visits and family programming; comparable native wildlife focus and regional attraction model.
• Cosley Zoo: Small Illinois nonprofit zoo in Wheaton featuring native wildlife, admissions, memberships, and education programs; closely comparable in scale and regional competition profile.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Park Zoo: Free-admission, nonprofit urban zoo in Chicago with native and exotic animal exhibits, memberships, and educational programs; comparable operating model and Illinois market presence.
• St. Louis Zoo: Regionally proximate, nationally recognized nonprofit zoo with memberships, conservation programs, and event hosting; comparable mission and revenue model to Wildlife Prairie Park.
• Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: Large-scale nonprofit zoo in nearby Omaha with wildlife exhibits, memberships, and lodging-adjacent experiences; comparable zoological park category though at significantly larger scale.
• Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society): Major Chicago-area zoological park operated as a nonprofit; directly comparable to Wildlife Prairie Park as a Midwest zoo with educational programming, memberships, and events, though at much larger scale.
• Indianapolis Zoo: Midwest nonprofit zoo with animal exhibits, memberships, events, and conservation programs; comparable model and visitor demographic to Wildlife Prairie Park.
• Louisville Zoo: Regional nonprofit zoo with native and exotic animals, memberships, events, and education programs; comparable Midwest zoo competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn4EeHjdEgULkiuNlbD5xsg
• Facebookfacebook.com/wildlifeprairiepark
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildlifeprairiepark
• TikToktiktok.com/@wildlifeprairiepark
• Xx.com/WildlifePrairie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildlife-prairie-park

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wildlife Prairie Park