Paynes Prairie

Paynes Prairie is a large preserve in north-central Florida featuring wet grasslands, cypress swamps, and pine forests across roughly 21,000 acres. The landscape includes shallow lakes, marshes, and open meadows that support diverse wildlife and plant communities throughout the seasons.

The Spanish founded Rancho la Chua in 1637, which became the largest cattle ranch in Spanish Florida by the late 17th century. The area transitioned to public protection during the American era to preserve its natural systems and wildlife.

The land holds evidence of human habitation spanning 12,000 years, from Paleo Indians through Spanish explorers to Seminole settlements and modern preservation efforts.

Eight marked trails cross different sections of the preserve, including the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail for longer walks. The area is open year-round, though seasonal water levels and weather patterns affect trail conditions and wildlife viewing.

A free-roaming herd of bison lives here after being reintroduced from Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in 1975. Their presence helps restore the prairie ecosystem and offers visitors a rare chance to see these animals in a natural setting.