paynes prairie

The local people know it's here, but they do not appreciate either the importance of Paynes Prairie to the history and nature of Florida, nor the overwhelming natural beauty to be found on this huge Preserve. Many ecosystems, hundreds of species of birds and animals, and unusual geology all are part of the importance of Paynes Prairie. And No, the Sink did not plug up in the 1880 and create a lake - the water lever in the Prairie goes up and down with the El Nino cycle, becoming a lake every decade or so. Fascinating place!

This park is one of the best State Parks that I have visted. The La Chua Trail is the best place to observe (keep your distance) wild bison, horses, boar, alligators, armadillo, and a world of bird species. It is hot in the summer (little shade), so come early if you visit during our hot months.

There is so much to see here, one trip won't do it! Don't forget to take your bicycles. There is also ample picnic areas that are quite lovely. I intend to go back and look for the Bison next visit.

This is a great place for exploring wild Florida. Although we did not see the bison we were lucky enough to see gators, brown water snakes, water moccasin, armadillo's, bald eagle nesting! The highlight was the stroll on the boardwalk with the armadillo - so cute!

When traveling northbound on I-75 to Gainesville, slow down at the halfway point to enjoy the viewing area. You will see birds, gators and perhaps deer or Florida bison.

Entrance to the state park preserve is $4-$6 depending on which side u enter in, plenty of parking, Lachua trail is easy to find (3 miles round trip hike) on flat well kept trail. There are lots of birds, swamp lands, beautiful Spanish Moss covered trees & gators right up on the trail. There are bison & wild horses reportedly, however we didn't see any the day we were there. No pets on the Lachua trail (other parts of the park you can) due to the Gators. Awesome time, highly recommend.

People come from all over the world to see the birds, gators, horses and bison that call this prairie their home. No matter when you go, you are going to see something specail.

I love nature so I really enjoyed the scenic views, long trails, and over all beauty of nature at Paynes Prairie. It was quite busy on the day we went and the trails are not wide enough to accommodate mass amounts of people going up the trails and the ones coming back, so bring your courteous badge with you. ( : Also the gators are sunning themselves quite close to the trails so always be aware of your surroundings. If you are going to bring children with you, do not allow them to run a head and always keep them close. I saw way too many young ones not being kept close and I feared for their safety.

One of the best nature hot spots in Gainesville. The Lachua Trail is easy to find a and 1.1 mile walk where you will pass many gators and cranes on your way to the tower. There you can attempt to spot the wild horses and buffalo. Great for familes and friends.

Spent a few hours here with friends. Excellent opportunity to see wildlife (lots of birds as well as plenty of gators). La Chua hiking trail is very easy to navigate and the raised boardwalk gives a great view of the swamp and marsh. WELL WORTH A VISIT.

First off I need to tell you - this is not a zoo or a controlled area - this is a wild prairie. With that said, it is truly a spectacular place. We walked along the La Chua Trail and saw an incredible number of birds, herons, egrets, and most of all Alligators! The gators were sunning them selves along the edge of the ponds and it was startling how close they were to the trail. I would not advise bringing dogs and if you bring children, keep them very close as the gators are literally steps from the path. It was truly remarkable and a must see.

We walked the La Chua Trail, 3 miles of North Florida nature at its finest. We saw alligators sunning themselves, wildflowers, horses, bison, waterbirds, egrets, herons and more. It was a perfect way to spend a winter's day in the Sunshine State.

Go to the North entrance and park ($4/carload). This is a very special place. The wooden walkway through the prairie lets you see the wildlife without disturbing them and the educational placards along the way explain the ecology/biology of the area. The 1 mile nature trail let's you get up close & personal with all sorts of wildlife. Most people go to see the alligators (I have lived in Florida a long time and have never seen as many large gators in one place). If you are stupid enough, you can walk right up to them. But I have never seen an aggressive alligator when the two-legged animals respect their space. I personally find the birds and waterfowl plentiful and fascinating. We've seen bald eagles, bison & wild horses, but no wild boar...yet. This is a genuine natural treasure, but you need to take the time to enjoy it. Wear shoes that can get a little muddy and walk out to the observation platform (it is NOT a tower). The view is worth it. If you go on a quiet day when it's not crowded, it is one of the most serene places in Florida.

This place is awesome if you want to see wild horses, bison, alligators, snakes, and lot of birds. I've traveled a lot of places in florida, and this is the best place to get wildlife photos I have found. The trail gets you down and close to the gators. Always watch where you step: I have found snakes hiding in the short grass on the trail.

Went to Paynes Prairie with my friend and his Dad, saw a few alligators and birds. Tried to walk out to the observation tower, but trail was flooded. Didn't see any horses or bison. I was a little scared about the alligators, because the flooded areas were right along the trail, but none came close. They said you see more alligators in winter when they are sunning themselves.