Prairie Wolf

WHERE IS THIS?

onathan Lurie

Hours:
Open daily, 6:30 am until 7 pm or sunset, whichever is later.

Scheduled Maintenance:
Prairie Wolf Off-Leash Dog Area is CLOSED until 11 am on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, April-October.

Prairie Wolf
Off-Leash Dog Area

Dog-with-frisbee-(c)-KK

Located in Lake Forest, this special place is one of five designated Off-Leash Dog Areas within the Lake County Forest Preserves where dogs can run and play off-leash.

The 44-acre area is fenced and features training enclosures, large fields, trails, toilets, water and a drinking fountain. Dogs can swim in a pond located through gates at the east end of the Off-Leash Dog Area. Please pay close attention to your dog in this open swimming area to make sure it does not stray.

View Map

Permit Required

An annual or daily permit and a dog are required for entry. Permits allow access to all five Off-Leash Dog Areas. Daily permits can be purchased in advance via your mobile phone by downloading the Passport Parking app or visiting ppprk.com. Self-pay stations for daily permits are not available.

Location

Entrance is on Waukegan Road (Route 43), south of Old Mill Road and north of Half Day Road (Route 22)in Lake Forest.

Hours

Open daily, 6:30 am until 7 pm or sunset, whichever is later.

Scheduled Maintenance

Prairie Wolf Off-Leash Dog Area is CLOSED until 11 am on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, April–October.

Off-Leash Dog Areas

Duck Farm

Lake Villa

View Map

Independence Grove

Libertyville

View Map

Lakewood

Wauconda

View Map

Prairie Wolf

Lake Forest

View Map

Waukegan Savanna

Waukegan

View Map

Using the Off-Leash
Dog Areas

Are there health and safety tips for visiting the Off-Leash Dog Areas?

For your dog's health and safety:

Dogs must be at least 4 months old to visit.
Determine if it's wise for your small dog or puppy to be off-leash with larger dogs.
Dogs must have a current rabies vaccination tag and number, as required by state law. If your dog's vaccination is not current, please call your vet. Consult with your vet regarding other recommended vaccinations or preventives.
The Lake County Health Department's low-cost pet vaccination clinics provide a convenient and affordable way to keep pets current with their shots and rabies tags.
Leave sick dogs home. They are not allowed in the area when ill.
Show your dog you care by asking your vet about visiting here.
Learn about potential health issues, prevention, symptoms and treatment. The Lake County Health Department and the American Veterinary Medical Association offer information and other resources on environmental health and disease prevention.
Make sure your dog is healthy and properly vaccinated against parvovirus and other diseases.
The soil throughout the eastern United States may contain spores that can cause blastomycosis. Chances are small that a dog will inhale them, but knowing symptoms gives time for treatment.

Can I get a refund if my dog does not like the Off-Leash Dog Area?

Refunds are not available but we do recommend purchasing a daily permit first to test the Off-Leash Dog Areas. They are good at all five Off-Leash Dog Areas, so start your day early and discover your favorite.

What if a dog is behaving overly aggressive toward my dog and I don't see the owner?

Call 847-549-5200 and ask to speak to a Ranger.

Is my dog required to wear a Forest Preserve dog tag?

No. Owners must display the annual permit vehicle sticker or the daily permit receipt on their vehicle while at the Off-Leash Dog Area.

Do you spray anything to reduce ticks at the Off-Leash Dog Areas?

We do not spray insecticide or use other methods to control tick populations. They are part of the natural system.

In Illinois, adult ticks are most active in April through June and again in early fall.

If you are encountering numerous ticks we recommend discussing repellent options with your veterinarian and considering keeping your dog out of areas with tall vegetation during the peak times. We realize this is a challenge at the Off-Leash Dog Areas. On-leash excursions at nearby preserves with crushed limestone trails are an alternative option to reduce tick exposure and during muddy seasons.