Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
In the heart of North Central Florida, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers a blend of history, wildlife, and outdoor adventure. We recently enjoyed spending a few days there, parked comfortably in our Thor Compass, with our mountain bikes ready to ride. From the moment we arrived, the park was captivating, especially being so close to civilization.
The campground is mostly in the shade of oaks draped in Spanish moss providing plenty of relief from the sun, and the sites were big enough to easily accommodate our camper van. We quickly settled in and couldn’t wait to explore the miles of trails the next morning – and see the buffalo and wild horses.
As we set out on our bikes, we found that we had to lift them over a wooden fence behind the visitors center to enter the prairie we then pedaled along the scenic trail that wound through marshes and open savannas. The views were beautiful, a mix of wetlands and grassy expanses that stretched endlessly, with no urban sprawl in sight. We stopped at an observation tower along the way and were rewarded with a great view of the prairie. From there, we could see wild horses grazing in the distance
Paynes Prairie is loaded with wildlife; wild horses, buffalo, deer, wild hogs, wood storks, sandhill cranes, egrets, and gators – no surprise so close to Gainesville. The park’s natural beauty and quiet atmosphere made it easy to lose track of time and we saw very few people.
One of the highlights of our trip was biking the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, which runs right through the park. The trail’s paved path made for an easy ride, but the scenery along the way was anything but ordinary with the Buffalo, which we gave a wide berth. The trail is a mix of shaded forest sections and open stretches that offer glimpses of the prairie.
If you’re looking for a destination that combines outdoor adventure with a chance to connect with nature, Paynes Prairie should be on your list, it’s worth the trip.
Paynes Prarie Preserve State Park – Website