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Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, photo 1 of 2

Photo: Geoff Gallice / CC BY 2.0 · source

Gardens & wildlife

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Micanopy, FL · North Central Florida$6 per vehicle; $4 solo driver; $2 on foot or bike

About

Plains bison were brought back to Paynes Prairie in 1975, and a small herd still grazes the 16,000-acre basin of marsh and wet prairie south of Gainesville. They're seen most often along Cone's Dike. Florida Cracker horses and cattle share the prairie with them. Migratory sandhill cranes winter here from November to March, joining the Florida sandhills that stay all year, and once in a while a whooping crane turns up. A 50-foot observation tower stands near the visitor center, where the staff keep track of recent sightings.

Highlights

Plains bison and Cracker horses50-foot observation towerSandhill cranes, November to MarchFlorida's first state preserve, 1971National Natural LandmarkGainesville-Hawthorne Trail, 16 paved miles

Getting there

100 Savannah Boulevard, Micanopy, FL 32667

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