Camping at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a must! While a day trip from Jacksonville to the park is wonderful, staying the night adds a special touch to an already amazing experience. Located just south of Gainesville this state park is under two hours from Jacksonville and located near quaint Micanopy.
Wildlife at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Wild horses, bison, alligators, turkeys, deer, turtles, and birds! It’s safe to say Paynes Prairie has wildlife in abundance. While you may or may not see the wild horses and bison roaming free they are present in the vast prairie that makes up much of the park. While not in the park the La Chua trail is worth the drive over. Along this trail you will see alligators in their natural habitat, along with many birds. Turkeys, deer and over 270 species of birds also make up some of the wild life within the park.
Visitor Center and Observation Tower
Located at the very end of the road from the main entrance of the park is the newly renovated visitor center. Along the drive towards the center we viewed turtles and deer. Drive slow and take in the varying landscapes. The visitor center houses an impressive information center with new interactive exhibits. Down the paved Wacahoota Trail is the 50 foot observation tower. The panoramic view from the top makes climbing the tower well worth it. When viewing the prairie please note that you may need to take your time before you see any wildlife. On our last visit to the park we spotted a bald eagle’s nest on the trail down to the visitors center. Don’t forget to pack binoculars for this trip!
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground
The campground at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is tucked in the shaded woods towards the front of the park. The tent sites are a short walk from the parking lot and all RV sites are back-in. When we camped at this park we tent camped. The sites were flat and private, and the walk in from the parking lot wasn’t far. The bathrooms are close to the tent area and have clean hot showers. All campsites have a fire pit, picnic table and lantern pole. Campers have access to a playground and an amphitheater. Ranger led talks around the campfire are held November through February on Saturday evenings. Camping in the park gives you access to the observation tower early in the morning; Rangers have mentioned that early mornings may be the best time to spot the bison or wild horses in the park.
Plan a Visit to Paynes Prairie
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of my family’s favorite state parks to visit. There is just so much wildlife to observe and unique landscapes to view. The deer at dusk walking through the campground was a sight to see! The sunset over the prairie is the perfect ending to a day spent outdoors. Staying in the park for a night or two really gives you the chance to explore and observe all the park has to offer. Lastly, the park’s proximity to Gainesville and Micanopy, provide easy access to shopping, restaurants and anything you may need while spending time in nature.
Jillian Gishler is a New Englander at heart. Born in Jacksonville Beach, she grew up in Massachusetts but was beckoned back to Florida by Mickey Mouse for a Disney World Internship. She returned to the beach in 2005 after graduating from Florida State. Ten years ago she opened her handmade & vintage collective shop, Sew Vicious, in Neptune Beach. Jillian raises chickens, is a passionate gardener, a DIYer, a thrift store junkie, a deal loving mama, and has several inspirational travel journals available on Amazon. She leads her daughters Girl Scout Troop, teaches sewing at a local Montessori School, and is a Parents Who Lead Alumni. She loves surprising her husband and daughters with mini-vacations around the Sunshine State.
