State: Florida
Address 1: 100 Savannah Boulevard
City: Micanopy
Zip: 32667
Phone: 352-466-3397
Open all Year: Yes
Camp URL: http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/default.cfm
Full Hook: Yes
Free: No
About: Paynes Prairie is biologically, geologically and historically unique. This park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Noted artist and naturalist William Bartram called it the great Alachua Savannah when he wrote about his visit to the prairie in 1774.
Over 20 distinct biological communities provide a rich array of habitats for wildlife, including alligators, bison, wild horses and over 270 species of birds. Exhibits and an audio-visual program at the visitor center explain the area´s natural and cultural history. A 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitor center provides a panoramic view of the preserve.
Eight trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Ranger-led activities are offered on weekends, November through April. Fishing on Lake Wauberg is allowed and a boat ramp provides access for canoes and boats with electric motors. Gasoline powered boats are not allowed. Full-facility campsites are available for overnight visitors.
A primitive group campsite is available in the park along the Chacala Trail. Campers must arrive two hours before sunset, as this site requires campers to travel 1.85 miles along the Chacala Trail, which is open to access on foot, by horse or by bicycle. Amenities include three tent pads, a waterless restroom, campfire circle, two grills, horse hitching area, picnic shelter with two tables and a hand operated pitcher pump with non-potable water. Well-behaved pets are allowed.
Firewood collection from the park grounds is prohibited, but firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station. Internet access is not available in the park.
Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance, in person, or by calling the ranger station between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (352) 466-3397.
The campsite near Lake Wauberg accommodates tents, trailers or RVs. The RV sites are back-in, and the tent sites are a short walk from the parking area. The campground is heavily shaded. Each site has a limerock surface, lantern post, fire ring with grill, and picnic table, with nearby water and electric service. Most RV sites have 30 amp electric service, but a few have 50 amp service. ADA accessible restroom facilities with hot showers are available in the campground. A centralized dump station is available for RVs. Several nearby trails wind through pine flatwoods, hardwood forest or hammock, baygall, open ponds and old fields.
Saturday evenings from November through February campers can enjoy ranger-led campfire programs about Paynes Prairie’s cultural and natural resources at the campfire amphitheater. The park entrance gate is locked at sunset, but a gate combination is provided to registered campers. Pets are allowed on leashes in the campground and on designated trails.
Firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station; firewood collection from the park grounds is prohibited. No internet access is available in the park.
Maximum RV length = 50 ft.
Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica.
A primitive group campsite is available in the park along the Chacala Trail. Campers must arrive two hours before sunset, as this site requires campers to travel 1.85 miles along the Chacala Trail, which is open to access on foot, by horse or by bicycle. Amenities include three tent pads, a waterless restroom, campfire circle, two grills, horse hitching area, picnic shelter with two tables and a hand operated pitcher pump with non-potable water. Well-behaved pets are allowed.
Firewood collection from the park grounds is prohibited, but firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station. Internet access is not available in the park.
Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance, in person, or by calling the ranger station between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (352) 466-3397.
