Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

American alligator at Alachua Sink.

Wild cracker horses viewed from Cones Dike Trail.

The visitor center at Paynes Prairie State Preserve offers interpretive programs.

This 21,000-acre preserve is one of the most significant natural and historic areas in Florida. As long ago as 1774, naturalist William Bartram wrote a detailed description of the area, calling it the "Great Alachua Savanna."

There are 25 distinct biological communities in the park, including wet prairie, pine flatwoods, tree "hammocks," swamps and ponds. A wide variety of animals live in the park, including sandhill cranes, eagles, hawks, waterfowl, alligators and otters.

Visitors can bike, camp, picnic, fish, hike and ride horseback in the park. There is a boat ramp available for canoes, sailboats and electric-motor boats.

Wheelchair-accessible paved trails in the park lead to the visitor center and the recreation area.

The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Exhibits and audio-visual programs inform visitors about the natural and cultural history of the preserve.

Rangers lead nature hikes on weekends from November through April. Call 352-466-4100 for details.

Visitors can reach the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park by taking U.S. 441 to Micanopy, 10 miles south of Gainesville or Exit 374 from I-75.