Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Lake Wauburg provides an enjoyable outdoor recreational area for the University of Florida community and other visitors. The crystal clear waters are great for swimming, fishing, and boating. There are five miles of trails along shoreline with ample wildlife like raccoons and turtles. Visitors can enjoy canoe rentals, beach volleyball courts, disc golf, picnic shelters, a playground, as well as basketball and tennis courts. It also offers musical events throughout the year.

Micanopy Historical Society was founded in 1983 after the Micanopy Historic District was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places by its nomination committee.

Paynes Prairie, is an incredibly unique and lush landscape. Spanning 18 sq miles, the prairie harbours a variety of plants and wildlife and has rare bird sightings. As it offers fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities, Paynes Prairie boasts activities such as canoeing, boating, camping and much more. Indeed, avid hikers can take on the South Rim’s 22-mile long trail with its 10 overlooks. Home to gators and other reptilian lifeforms, exploring the area is truly a good experience.

The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is a protected state park with a length of 16 miles (26 km) running from the Boulware Springs Water Works in Gainesville to Hawthorne.

Prairie Creek Preserve is a beautiful and diverse swath of land, which covers more than 8,000 acres and is home to a variety of habitats ranging from cypress swamps to wet prairies and mesic flats. Among the many wildlife that call this area home are alligators, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and threatened species like the gopher tortoise. It offers visitors plenty for exploration with trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Fishing is also allowed within certain parts.

Sweetwater Wetlands Park in Alachua County provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of wetlands and observe wildlife in action. This park is renowned for its array of plants and animals, including rare species of birds, turtles, dragonflies, frogs, and other aquatic life. From the observation tower, you can take in panoramic views of the wetlands and spot various species from all over the world. It also offers plenty of activities for children and families.