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Paynes Prairie Preserve
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a Florida State Park located south of Micanopy, Florida, off U.S. 441, and north of Interstate 75. The park is a National Natural Landmark and is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, horses, alligators, and over 270 species of birds. The park also features a variety of hiking trails, camping, canoeing, and horseback riding. Visitors can also explore the park's historic sites, including the Micanopy Historic District, the Paynes Prairie Visitor Center, and the La Chua Trail. The park is also home to the Paynes Prairie Natural Area, which is a designated National Natural Landmark.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Scott Strachan
We’ve camped at the group site at Paynes Prairie Preserve several times now, and it’s become one of our absolute favorite spots in Florida. The location is secluded, peaceful, and genuinely feels like an escape. The site sits right along a calm, navigable stream—we were able to paddleboard straight from camp, which was a huge bonus. The setup is fantastic: a solid covered shelter with multiple picnic tables, plenty of space for tents, and even a port-o-john that they bring out specifically for your group. It’s clean, convenient, and makes the stay much more comfortable. Every visit has been consistently great, and we will absolutely be back. If you’re looking for a quiet group camping area with water access and real privacy, this is the spot.
3Delta7
Incredibly beautiful park. Wild horses, buffalo, alligators, so much wildlife. Well maintained trained, staff and rangers are the best. Visitor center is great to get maps and ask questions. Too much to put into a review, but go to the visitor center and grab a map. Boardwalks, lakes, observation towers.
Stephanie Worley
I had a great time. It was raining the afternoon I went and it had started to get dark. I didn't walk the trail for I was alone and no other cars had showed up for hours so I am glad I stayed to the boardwalk. I did see horses from the observation deck but they were a ways in the prairie. I did have a beautiful time, even in the rain.
Rachel W
Make sure you go to the visitor’s center first so you can get the map—the distance of each trail is clearly marked while the online map is useful, it doesn’t show that. They can also tell you the best times/places to see the alligators, wild horses, and bison. We saw all of them except the bison—which haven’t been seen in a while because of the hot weather. The observation tower by the visitor’s center is breath taking. Beautiful, spacious wild area.
L.M.M.B
One of the best state parks for wildlife watching near Gainesville! The park itself is very spacious, with many animal species. Alligators are undoubtedly the park's main attraction. Birds, snakes, lizards, and deer also have their place in the park. While it's rare to see them, you will encounter them occasionally. The park's restrooms are also in good condition, but they may need a little more cleaning. Other than that, everything is very well maintained. The park has some observatories, benches, and water (although the water isn't that good). So, I think if you enjoy wildlife watching and hiking, this is a good place for you!