Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Located near Micanopy, 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 felt like a hidden escape, surprisingly close to Gainsville.
The campground is nice and shady with a canopy of live oaks, providing plenty of relief from the sun. Common in central and north Florida, the live oak (Quercus virginiana) gets its name because it remains green and “alive” throughout the year. While deciduous oaks drop all their leaves in the fall, live oaks are technically evergreen; they shed old leaves gradually as new ones emerge, maintaining their foliage year-round. The campsites, equipped with water and electric hookups, were roomy and easily accommodated our 24-foot camper van. We quickly settled in and looked forward to exploring the miles of trails to photograph the buffalo and wild horses. No kidding, buffalo in Florida – something you need see to believe.
As we set out on our bikes, we discovered we had to lift them over a wooden fence behind the visitors’ center to enter the prairie. We then pedaled along the 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 mostly 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 views 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 Prairie Preserve State Park – Website