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Park Details

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Category
  • State park or recreation area managed by a state agency

General Description
    A 26-square mile tract situated in the gently rolling countryside of west-central Illinois, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area (JEPC) is one of the Department''s largest public access areas.

    A mosaic of mature forest land, agricultural land and grassland, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area is dissected by Panther and Cox creeks and their tributaries. In addition to 6,000 acres of timberland and 4,200 acres of prime farmland, Site M contains a rare hill prairie. It also is home to a rich assortment of wildlife, from endangered species that include Indiana bat, northern harrier and re-shouldered hawk, to such game species white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove.

    JEPC features hunting for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and mourning dove, as well as upland species (pheasant, quail, woodcock, snipe and rabbit), furbearers (raccoon, opossum, red fox, gray fox, striped skunk and coyote) and squirrels. Season dates and hours, permit requirements and other regulations are published in the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations and in the JEPC Hunting Digest, available through the Department of Natural Resources.

    Sport fishing opportunities are available at JEPC at Gridley Lake, 25 acres, opened 1998, Prairie Lake, 210 acres, opened 2002, and Drake Lake, 35 acres opened in 2003. Several ponds within the site have also been renovated.

    Picnic areas and restrooms are located at Gridley Lake, Drake Lake, Painter pond, Geiss pond, and the Prairie Lake day use area.

    24 miles of mountain bike trail are available in two loops and a connection trail. The Prairie lake loop is 17 miles, the Drake Lake Loop is 5 miles, and two miles of trail connect the two. It is open noon to dusk April 16th - May 15th and sunrise until sunset May 16th - October 31st. November 1st - April 15th the trail is closed to all mountain bikes but is available for hikers. The trail is very scenic with forest and grassland portions and many times views the lake. It also has a lot of roll to it which is unusual for central Illinois.

    A 22-car/trailer parking lot, along with a 26-mile trail, are located in the northwest corner of JEPC on Questing Hills Road just off County Highway 2. A second access to the equestrian trail is found at Q-4 parking lot which is situated between the 9 mile north loop trail and the southern 11 and 6 mile loops. April 16th - May 15th the trail is open noon until dusk. May 16th - October 31st trails are open sunrise to sunset. November 1st through November 15th horse trails are closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays but open the other days from dawn to dusk. Trails are closed November 16th - April 15th each year.

    For hikers, off-trail hiking is also available. Parking areas are positioned off public roads throughout the site. Because unmarked open wells may exist in the area, caution must be used by all individuals visiting JEPC.

    A three mile hiking and jogging trail opened fall of 1999 around the lake shore at Gridley lake. Seventeen miles of new hiking and mountain bike trail opened April 16, 2001 around Prairie lake. Seven more miles of mountain bike/hiking were opened in 2003 around Drake Lake and connecting to the Prairie Lake trail. There are 26 miles of Equestrian Trails in three loops. The topography of the trails has a lot of elevation changes.

    There are two campgrounds at JEPC. Prairie Lake Campground has 84 sites, 19 are full hookup sites with sewer drops and water at the sites. The other sites all have electricity. There are also nine rent a cabins located in the campground. The cabins are reservable but the campsites are not. The cabins are located on the shore of Prairie Lake and offer a great view.


Accessibility Features General Accessibility Features
  • Accessible tent camp sites
  • Accessible RV camp sites
  • Accessible cabin/shelter camp sites
  • Accessible bathrooms
  • Accessible routes from accessible camp sites to accessible comfort stations/restrooms
  • Accessible viewing areas or outlooks
  • Accessible picnic tables/areas
  • Accessible boat docks or piers
  • Accessible fishing locations
  • Accessible playgrounds/children's play areas
  • Accessible sporting areas (e.g. baseball or soccer fields, tennis or basketball courts, etc)
Amenities and Lodging
  • No accessible amenities and lodging
Information and Interpretation Features
  • Exhibits located on accessible routes
  • Brochures or program guides provide information on its accessibility features
  • Signage in alternate formats (Braille, large print, audio, etc)