Located in Micanopy, Florida, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in Florida and the only place in the state where you can see wild horses and bison roaming freely. With over 21,000 acres and 30 miles of trails, this state park provides plenty of opportunities to experience the real Florida and view a multitude of wildlife. We have visited Paynes Prairie multiple times and have seen everything from wild horses and bison to alligators and bald eagles. Because it is located only a few minutes south of Gainesville, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the easiest ways to experience wild Florida near a city and is a must-visit if you are in the northern part of the state.
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HISTORY OF PAYNES PRAIRIE
The savannah that is now Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park has been inhabited by diverse people groups for over 12,000 years, including the Potano Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and Seminole Indians. In 1774, noted naturalist William Bartram traveled to the area, which he called the Alachua Savanna. He recorded his observations of the prairie’s flora and fauna in detail in the East Florida section of his book Bartram’s Travels. His writings provide a valuable historical record of the area before significant human development.
The state park is named after an influential Seminole leader and spokesman named King Payne, a Seminole Chief and member of the Snake Clan, who established Payne’s Town in the area in 1790. Payne’s Town was a fusion of many different cultures and became a hub for trade and agriculture before being burnt down by American soldiers in 1813. University of Florida archeologists uncovered partial remnants of Payne’s Town in the early 2000’s.
In 1971, Paynes Prairie became the state of Florida’s first state preserve.
UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE
Considered a “wet prairie,” Paynes Prairie consists of both uplands and wetlands and provides habitats to a vast number of species, including around 300 different species of birds, one of the most diverse communities of birds in the state. The savannah itself is composed of marshes, and the drier uplands support live oak hammocks.
Because only a thin layer of clay separates the surface from the limestone underneath, rainwater has dissolved parts of the limestone and created caverns beneath the ground. Over time, the remaining limestone above the caverns has weakened and caved in some areas, which has given way to large depressions called sinkholes. At the bottom of Paynes Prairie sits a large sinkhole called Alachua Sink. This sinkhole is filled with water, so it appears more like a lake than a sinkhole. The sinkholes in Paynes Prairie play an important part in water management, providing a place for excess water to accumulate and refill the aquifer below.
A great variety of animals call Paynes Prairie home. Deer, bobcats, horses, and bison roam the prairie; eagles, herons, and sandhill cranes patrol the air and stalk along the marsh; and alligators glide through the waters. The horses are descendants of Seminole ponies, also known as Florida cracker horses, which were originally brought over by Spanish explorers.
We have been fortunate to see horses two out of the three times we’ve visited, and we saw bison once. Other animals we’ve been fortunate enough to see include (many) alligators, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, herons, limpkins, and ospreys.
THINGS TO DO AT PAYNES PRAIRIE
We recommend starting your visit to Paynes Prairie with a stop by the Visitor’s Center, which is accessible from the main entrance to the park. The Visitor’s Center has detailed educational displays about the flora and fauna found at the park, plus a video that shows footage of the prairie throughout the different seasons. A telescope provides the opportunity to see wildlife from a distance, and the volunteers are very helpful and willing to answer any questions you may have about the trails or other activities.
Hiking is a popular activity at Paynes Prairie, and there are thirty miles of trails plus observation platforms where you can view the surrounding habitats and wildlife. We have personally done the Wacahoota Trail, Cones Dike Trail, La Chua Trail, and Bolen Bluff Trail.
The Wacahoota Trail is next to the Visitor’s Center and is a quarter-mile round trip. It leads to an observation tower that provides scenic views of the prairie and is great for viewing wildlife.
Cones Dike Trail also begins at the Visitor’s Center and is 8.25 miles round trip. On our last trip, we spotted multiple alligators, birds, and some wild horses on this trail. Please note that this trail is not very shaded and pets are not allowed on it due to potential conflicts with the wildlife.
La Chua Trail begins as an elevated boardwalk around Alachua Sink and then turns into a grassy trail through the marsh. Fluctuating water levels through the year may limit access to the trail and wildlife visibility, but both times we have done this trail we have seen a large number of alligators. La Chua Trail is also a good option for seeing bison and horses. No pets are allowed on this trail.
Bolen Bluff Trail is 2.5 miles round trip and weaves through a shady hardwood hammock. We saw deer on this trail. Other potential animal sightings include bobcats, turkey, and raccoons, as well as horses and bison. No pets are allowed.
Although we haven’t done these, other trails include Chacala Trail (6.5 mile loop through hardwood hammocks and wet pinelands); Jackson’s Gap Trail (1.2 miles and connects Cones Dike and Chacala Trails); Lake Trail (0.8 mile scenic boardwalk and open field); and Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail (16 miles and two lanes with multiple trailheads).
Other popular activities at Paynes Prairie include biking, fishing, and camping. Paynes Prairie provides camping sites for RVs and tents, and reservations must be made in advance here or by calling the ranger station. Horseback riding along Chacala Trail is another option. All equestrians must show proof of their horse’s negative coggins test. You can also kayak or canoe on Lake Wauberg, but you must bring your own equipment–no rentals are available at the park.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING
When is the best season to visit Paynes Prairie? There is no one best time, but each season offers something different to see. If you are an avid birdwatcher, the winter months provide the best opportunities to witness a variety of birds, as this is when migratory birds arrive. Fall, winter, and spring provide more comfortable temperatures and weather for hiking. Late spring through summer is the peak time to see wildflowers in bloom.
The entry fee for Paynes Prairie is $6 per vehicle and the park is open 8am until sundown every day. We highly recommend bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and water and wearing closed-toe, comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Binoculars are also helpful for spotting wildlife.
Please always practice wildlife awareness when hiking at Paynes Prairie or any of Florida’s other natural spaces. Stay at least 25 yards (75 feet) away from all animals. Although it may be tempting to get closer, especially for pictures, animals can be unpredictable, especially if they have young, and keeping a safe distance also helps preserve their natural behavior.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS AND DAY TRIPS
Looking for other activities nearby? To experience more of natural Florida, check out Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park or Ichetucknee Springs. Have a snorkeling or diving adventure at Devil’s Den Spring. Head into Gainesville and learn about Florida’s history at the Florida Museum of Natural History, enjoy art at Harn Museum of Art, or stroll through enchanting gardens at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.
Gainesville also provides plenty of hotel options if you want to stay overnight. Drury Inn and Suites, Springhill Suites, and Fairfield Inn and Suites are all great options. We stayed at Residence Inn because we really like the budget-friendly option of having a kitchen so we do not have to eat out for every meal.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is truly special because of its unique combination of history, wildlife, and diverse ecosystems. We hope you have the opportunity to experience this part of real Florida firsthand!
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Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
