Off-trail hiking is available from parking areas positioned off public roads throughout the site. Because unmarked, open wells may exist in the area, caution must be used by individuals visiting JEPC.
A 3- 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 trails have a lot of elevation changes.
Located in Cass County 25 miles northwest of Springfield off State Illinois Route 125, 10 miles northeast of Virginia, 10 miles west of Petersburg and New Salem State Historic Site, and 10 miles northwest of Ashland.<br /><br />Access JEPC from Interstate 72 by taking the Ashland/Jim Edgar Panther Creek exit at State Route 123 and traveling north through Ashland to State Route 125 then west to Newmansville Road.<br /><br />Travelers on Interstate 55 have easy access to JEPC by taking the Sherman exit to Veterans Parkway then west on 97 to the intersection with 125. Continue west on 125 through Pleasant Plains and past Ashland. Just west of Ashland turn north on Newmansville Road and follow the signs.
http://www.tripleblaze.com/trail.php?c=3&i=8175