Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

About Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

The park became Florida's first state reserve in 1971 and is now a National Natural Monument. The Payne prairie is biologically, geologically and historically unique, and over 20 different biological communities provide habitats for wildlife including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey, fish and reptiles. When the famous artist and naturalist William Bartram wrote his famous poem "The Great Alachua Savannah," he called it "the largest natural park in the United States" and "the largest nature reserve" in Florida.

Exhibits and audiovisual programs in the Visitor Centre explain the natural and cultural history of the region. A 360-degree view of the Payne prairie, the state of Florida and the Florida Keys is provided by a panoramic view of the nature reserve.

Eight hiking trails offer opportunities for hiking, horse riding and cycling, as well as rangers - guided activities are offered on weekends from November to April.

Fishing is allowed on Lake Waubergsee, and boat ramps provide access to canoes, boats and electric motors. Petrol boats are not allowed, nor are fishing on the lake itself, except for fishing and boating.

More than 420 vertebrates have been identified at the park, including more than 270 birds, and Payne Prarie is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. For overnight guests, there are fully equipped campsites, as well as a campsite with picnic area and picnic table. Located south of Lake Waubergsee and north of Payne Park, it is one of Florida's most popular hiking and camping destinations.

The animals that are often seen in the park include birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians. There is a viewing platform overlooking Lake Waubergsee and Lake Okeechobee as well as the Great Florida Birding Trail and Payne Prarie.

The prairie basin and surrounding plateaus have been the center of human activity in Florida for many centuries. In 1971, Payne Prairie was declared Florida's first nature reserve and national natural monument. The site has exceptional value as an illustration of our nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of the environment.

The Alachua settlement of the area dates back to the first settlement of the area in the 16th century. William Bartram described the basin in 1774 as the "Great Alchua Savannah," and at the end of this 16,000-year-old settlement was the largest cattle ranch in Florida.

The Seminoles were the original inhabitants at the time, and during the Second Seminoles War several raids and skirmishes were conducted in the area. The prairie is believed to be named after King Payne, a seminary chief who came to honor his role as chief of the Alachua.

In 1871, heavy rains began to flood the basin, and in 1873 the flooded wetland was so large that it was named Lake Alachua. Steamboats crossed the lake for transport, but in 1891 its main drain was unclogged, allowing the water to drain.

In 1892, the character of the moor returned, and in 1903 William Camp began to cultivate the lush green grass meadows.

Several exhibitions and audiovisual programs interpret the natural and cultural history of the reserve. The visitor centre is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and on weekends from 1 pm to 5 pm.

The complete facility campsite is available for motorised vehicles from 1 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and from 5 am to 10 pm and from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends. All campsites are accessible and each site has lampposts, picnic tables, water and electricity.

Visitors are asked to arrive early in the morning to have enough time to walk two miles to the primitive site. Enjoy a quality outdoor experience at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, one of the most scenic parks in the state.

Canoeing is possible at the public boat ramp, which is located on the east side of Lake Waubergsee. Measuring about 300 acres, it is the largest lake in the state and one of the smallest in Wisconsin, at a depth of about 1,000 feet.

Canoe rental is also available at Paynes Prarie Preserve State Park, as well as canoe rental at the public boat ramp on the west side of the park.

Fishing is allowed on the 300-hectare Waubergsee, access to the lake is via the park's boat ramp.

Perch, bream and perch are regularly caught, but fishing areas along the coast are limited.

Picnic tables are set up throughout the park, and barbecue areas are located on picnic areas around the lake and in covered gazebos. For a fee, the pavilion can be reserved in advance, but the use of petrol engines is prohibited.

The LaChua Trail is 3 miles long and offers views of wet prairies and wetlands, including Alachua Sink and Alchua Lake.

The LaChua Trail is open 7 days a week and opens at 8: 00 a.m., but the main access is at 4801 Camp Ranch Road.

The 2.6 km long circuit is named after the pioneers of the settlers who lived on the southern edge of the cliffs of Paynes Prairie. The path leads to observation decks for wildlife, passing a deciduous forest dominated by large oaks, the most impressive of which is in the south. A variety of bird species, reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey and other wildlife thrive along the way.

In Florida, it is called a hammock, and the name probably comes from the early Indians who inhabited the region. Hammocks grow in well-drained soil and provide a habitat for a variety of animal species, including white-tailed deer and many other bird species.

The Camp family built an extensive system of dikes and canals to reduce flooding and thus create dry conditions for livestock and agriculture. Halfway up the hill is the open, grassy Bolen Bluff, and the steep slopes offer visitors a view of the low-lying prairie basin and its many wetlands. The cliffs along the coast of an old earth dike lead down into the prairie basin.

In the 1970s, Camp Ranch was sold to the state of Florida, which established Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, the first national park of its kind in Florida.

The flat terrain in the basin is quite open and offers only limited shade for hikers and cyclists. A hammock leads to a 50 'lookout tower on the edge of the prairie, and an earth dike leads into the middle of a prairie stream. The walk is short but steep, 2.5 miles from Camp Ranch to the trailhead and a 1,000-foot hike from the observation tower.

The Chacala Trail is named after the first woman to serve in a protected area of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US Army) and is named for her role in protecting the area during World War II.

This flat path leads to various biological communities, including a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds of prey and reptiles. As a quiet observer you can observe a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, wild boars, deer, elks, elks, peregrine falcons and many more.

Gainesville Hawthorne Trail State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset and is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset until sunset.

To learn more, visit the Facebook page of Gainesville Hawthorne Trail State Park or the park's website for more information about the park.

The 1.3 km trail connects Gainesville Hawthorne Trail State Park with Jackson Gap Trail. The wetland includes wetlands, grassland and grassland, as well as a number of small ponds and streams. Occasionally you will see a few small streams, ponds, streams and other waterfalls along the way, but not much more than that. Named after the pioneering ranchers at the turn of the 19th century who led cattle on their way to the Mississippi River Running River and its tributaries, the Jackson Gap Trail is named after William Jackson, one of Florida's first settlers and pioneering ranchers.

Most of the route requires a thick and tired bike, but cycling is allowed on the Hawthorne Trail, Jackson Gap Trail and Paynes Prairie Preserve Trail.

The Bonfire Amphitheatre is funded by Friends and is located on the west side of Paynes Prairie Preserve, just off the Hawthorne Trail. Ranger - guided bonfire programs with weekly changing themes, including fireworks, fireworks, music, food trucks and other activities.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, but must always be kept on a leash and not left unattended for more than an hour.

Pets are not allowed in the parking lot of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, except for dogs and cats. Pets are not allowed on the grounds of the park or on one of the parking lots. Pets are not allowed at the entrance to the State Park at any time of day or night.

Pets must be kept at the entrance to State Park at all times and must be at least one foot away from the parking lot and entrance gate.

Pets must be handcuffed and left unattended for no more than 30 minutes, and quiet hours must not be observed from 23: 00 to 20: 30 except during peak times of the day.

Florida law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies and their owners must pick up their pets from the parking lot at the entrance to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and the park itself.

Violations of these rules result in the animal being banned from the park and must be locked up. Animals that are noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive must not be in or around the parks.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is located on the west side of I-75, south of the Micanopy exit.

Take Exit 374 (the Micanopies Exit) and at the end of this exit turn left onto I / 75 and head south.

Take Exit 374 (Micanopy Exit) and at the end of this exit turn left onto I / 75 and head south. Stay on the road until you cross the road and then drive approximately one mile to the west side of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Turn left on I-75, then east on CR 234 and turn right on CR 441. Continue about one mile south I-41 to Payne Prairie Park Road, south of I / 75 and north of Cushing Road.

Stay on the road until you cross this road and then drive approximately one mile to the west side of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Turn left onto CR 441, then right onto CR 234, heading east on it for about two miles to Payne Prairie Park Road, south of Cushing Road.