PAYNES
PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARK
Micanopy, FL
Contact Information
100 Savannah Blvd.
Micanopy, Florida 32667
Phone: 352-466-3397
Description
This 21,000-acre preserve is among the most significant
natural and historic areas in Florida. In 1774,
noted artist and naturalist William Bartram wrote
a detailed description of this area, calling it
the "great Alachua Savannah." The park
offers hiking, bird watching, fishing, camping,
picnicking, and bicycling. Natural and cultural
exhibits are located in the visitors center.
Hours of Operation
We are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a
year.
Driving Directions
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is located 10
miles south of Gainesville, in Micanopy, on the
east side of US 441.
From I-75 north: Take exit 374, the Micanopy
exit, and turn left at the end of the exit ramp.
You will then be traveling east on CR 234. Stay
on this road 1.4 miles until it intersects with
US 441. Turn left onto 441 and go 0.6 miles to
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (on the right).
From I-75 south: Take exit 374, the Micanopy
exit, and turn right at the end of the exit ramp.
You will then be traveling east on CR 234. Stay
on this road 1.4 miles until it intersects with
US 441. Turn left onto 441 and go about 0.6 miles
to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (on the
right).
ACTIVITIES
Full Facility Camping
NOTE: Pets are not allowed in camping areas
Full Facility Camping is available for tents, trailers or motorized vehicles
up to 40' long. The tent sites are walk-in sites
a short distant from the parking area. Each site
has a lantern post and picnic table with nearby
water and electric service.
Bicycling
Cycling is permitted along the park drive and
the following trails: Chacala, Bolen Bluff, Jackson's
Gap, Cone's Dike and Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail
State Park. Most trails require "fat-tired"
bikes.
Canoeing
Canoeing is available on Lake Wauberg which covers
about 300 acres. There is a public boat ramp located
on the east side of Lake Wauberg. There are no
canoes for rent at Paynes Prarie.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted on Lake Wauberg, an approximately
300-acre lake. Bass, bream, and speckled perch
are regularly caught species. Areas for fishing
along the bank are limited. Access to the lake
is available via the park's boat ramp. The use
of gasoline-powered engines is prohibited.
Picnicking
Picnic tables are located throughout the park. Barbecue
grills are located at the Lake Picnic Area as well
as by the covered pavilions. For a fee, the covered
pavilions may be reserved in advance.
Visitor Center
A visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Several exhibits and an audio-visual program interpret
the natural and cultural history of the preserve.
Wildlife Viewing
There are over 420 vertebrates identified in the
park and over 270 of them are birds. Paynes Prarie
is part of The Great Florida Birding Trail. There
are many observation platforms and wildlife viewing
areas located throughout the park. Some of the animals
commonly seen in the park include: sandhill cranes,
bald eagles, alligators, otters, deer, bobcat and
snakes.
Nature Trails
Due to the abundance of wildlife, pets are not allowed
on any of the trails or in the campground. 1. LA
CHUA TRAIL
2. BOLEN BLUFF TRAIL
3. WACAHOOTA TRAIL
4. CONE'S DIKE TRAIL
5. CHACALA TRAIL
6. GAINESVILLE-HAWTHORNE TRAIL STATE PARK
7. LAKE TRAIL
8. JACKSON’S GAP TRAIL
9. SAVANNAH BOULEVARD
