You’ve Gotta Try This: Hiking Paynes Prairie

By Kevin Mims

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is as unique as it is beautiful. There’s nowhere else in Florida where you can see bison and horses roaming in the wild, and the hiking trails at this park deserve a spot on any Florida adventure-seeker’s bucket list.

Situated between Micanopy and Gainesville, the 23,000-acre savanna is the center of the Paynes Prairie Basin. Besides being an ecological treasure, the wetlands and trails at Paynes Prairie are unforgettable, and there are eight paths to choose from, including a 16-mile paved trail. It’s also rich in history, both as a home of the Alachua band of Seminoles and as historic cattle ranching lands.

TIME ALLOWANCE

Depending on what sections you decide to explore and how far you want to hike, figure on spending a few hours to a half day at Paynes Prairie.

DISTANCE FROM BIG CITIES

Paynes Prairie is in Alachua County, 90 minutes from Jacksonville and Orlando, and a little under two hours from Tampa.

WHAT TO BRING

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather and conditions. For most of the year, this means lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes. In winter, when it’s cooler in the morning and warmer in the afternoon, dress in layers. Shoes should be closed-toe, sturdy, and comfortable.

These are some other items you’ll need:

- bug spray
- cell phone
- camera
- park map — download one to your phone or pick up a paper copy when you enter the park
- water bottle
- snacks
- sunscreen
- hat
- hiking poles, if desired
- small daypack to carry your essentials
- binoculars to spot birds and wildlife, if desired
- bike, helmet, and equipment if biking
- canoe and paddling gear if going canoeing on the lake (no rentals are available at the park)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND CAUTIONS

As always, make sure to choose a trail that matches your fitness and ability level. In the summer months, when the heat index reaches triple digits, it’s especially important to have enough water to stay hydrated. Early-morning hikes will be a little cooler and more comfortable this time of year.

Depending on the day and the trail you choose to visit, you could encounter alligators, horses, or bison. All park visitors are asked to maintain a safe distance from these animals and not to disturb them by getting too close or making noises that will spook them.

RULES

Unlike many Florida state park trails, pets are not allowed on several of the trails at Paynes Prairie due to potential conflict with snakes, alligators, and bison, so pet owners must be sure to take note of which trails allow pets and which ones don’t. Trails where pets aren’t allowed include La Chua, Bolen Bluff, and Cone’s Dike. Where allowed, pets must be well-behaved and kept on a six-foot leash. Equestrians must carry proof of a negative Coggins test with them.

THE TRAILS

La Chua Trail

This is the most popular trail for spotting alligators here. It’s an easy, three-mile hike from the north rim and the observation tower and can be accessed from 4801 Camp Ranch Road in Gainesville. While big reptile sightings are common, just be aware that during times of drought, there won’t be many alligators here due to fluctuations in water levels. Because of the wildlife here, for safety reasons, this trail closes one hour before sunset.

Bolen Bluff Trail

Offering stunning views of the marsh and Alachua Lake, this 2.6-mile roundtrip trail isn’t strenuous and offers some shade as it passes through hardwood forest and a wildlife-viewing deck to see some of the animals that call Paynes Prairie home. If you’re lucky, you could spot white-tailed deer, turkeys, or owls.

Wacahoota Trail

This trail is just a quarter-mile round trip and takes park guests from the visitor center to the 50-foot observation tower for fantastic views of the prairie.

Cone’s Dike Trail

This trail starts from the visitor center parking area. Although flat, at 8.25 miles in length, it’s more strenuous than other trails here and offers little shade but an immersive experience into the prairie.

Lake Trail

This trail is just one mile and extends from the Lake Wauburg parking area to Savannah Boulevard.

Chacala Trail

This 6.5-mile trail has a lot of variety. It takes visitors through hardwood hammock, pine flatwoods, fields, and open ponds, making for a wildlife-filled hike. Keep an eye out for deer, bald eagles, bobcats, and more.

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail

This 16-mile paved, accessible trail is suitable for biking, inline skating, and hiking, and has a grassy equestrian trail that runs beside it. The trail runs from the city of Gainesville’s Boulware Springs through Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. To use this trail, you can park at any of these trailheads: Boulware Springs Park, 3300 S.E. 15th Street in Gainesville (open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily); the Intersection of county roads 234 and 2082; 7902 S.E. 200th Drive, off County Road 2082, west of Hawthorne; and 2182 S.E. 71st Avenue in Hawthorne.

Jackson Gap Trail

Connecting the Cone’s Dike and Chacala trails is the Jackson Gap trail, a 1.3-mile path where visitors can spot wetland wildlife, such as wading birds and alligators, and occasionally wild horses and bison.

ADD MORE TO THE ADVENTURE

If you have time, be sure to check out the visitor center at the south rim of Paynes Prairie at 100 Savannah Boulevard in Micanopy. There, you’ll be able to look at interactive exhibits to learn more about the park’s wildlife, plants, and history, as well as climb the 50-foot observation tower that offers panoramic views of the area.

While the hiking trails here are excellent, there are a lot of other things to do when you come here. Paynes Prairie is also a great place for camping (tent, equestrian, and primitive), biking (allowed on the Chacala, Bolen Bluff, Jackson’s Gap, Cone’s Dike, and Gainesville-Hawthorne trails), canoeing, which you can do on Lake Wauburg, and birding—there are 271 species of birds on this property. It’s also a popular spot for horseback riding. The 6.5-mile Chacala Trail is equestrian-friendly except the portion east of the Lochloosa Trailhead.

WHERE TO EAT

Paynes Prairie is convenient to both Gainesville and Micanopy, which have plenty of dining choices to suit every taste. Head into Gainesville for lots of variety and Micanopy for a laid-back experience where you can browse art and antique stores while you’re there.

Pearl Country Store & Barbecue in Micanopy is always a popular choice and is less than two miles from Paynes Prairie. Mosswood Farm Store & Bake House, situated in an old cracker house in Micanopy, sells a delicious variety of baked goods. Pizza lovers can stop in at Blue Highway, which is also close to Paynes Prairie.

SEASONAL DIFFERENCES

Rainfall affects Paynes Prairie in several ways. If water levels get too high, some trails might be closed. If it’s a time of drought, you probably won’t be able to spot many alligators off the La Chua Trail.

Flowers of the prairie change with the seasons. In late spring and summer, lotus blooms decorate the basin. Purple pickerelweed paints the landscape in late spring and swamp sunflowers bring a golden hue to the prairie in the fall.

TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES

Several areas of Paynes Prairie are wheelchair-accessible, including the observation tower at the visitor center, which is accessible to the first level, the campground restrooms, and the boardwalk at La Chua Trail. The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail has 16 miles of paved trail that’s friendly to wheelchair users and those using mobility scooters and adaptive bikes.

RESTROOMS

Restrooms are located at the main entrance where the visitor center is, at the Lake Wauburg Recreation Area, at the Boulware Springs trailhead of the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, and, for registered campers, the tent and RV campground near Lake Wauburg.

GENERAL INFORMATION: HOURS AND ADMISSION

The park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fees are $6 per vehicle for up to 8 people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and passengers in a vehicle with the holder of an Annual Individual Entrance Pass. La Chua Trail admission is $4 per vehicle. Admission to Bolen Bluff is $2 per vehicle for up to 8 people.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO EXPLORE PAYNES PRAIRIE

1. Take a look at the park website and decide which area or areas you would like to explore during your visit.

2. Download a park map to your phone. You can also pick one up at the park entrance.

3. Drive to your trailhead of choice. Most people like to start at the south entrance where the visitor center is: 100 Savannah Boulevard in Micanopy.

4. Gather your gear.

5. Fill your water bottle and visit the restroom.

6. Head out to the trail.

7. Hike to your heart’s content, stopping to take photos, spot wildlife, and appreciate the vistas along the way.

8. Loop back around to your starting point.

For more information, visit the website or call 352-446-3397.