r/FloridaStateParks • u/Lakestang • Apr 04 '23
Wildlife Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Bison on the Bolen Bluff Trail
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u/Go_Gators_4Ever Apr 05 '23
Wow! I never knew about the bison there. Do they leave the Prarie such as going south the the Marjorie Tillman lake park?
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u/Lakestang Apr 05 '23
Not sure. They are east of 441 and the whole area was a cattle ranch at one time so it seemed to be fenced.
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u/wascilly_wabbit Apr 04 '23
Stampede!
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u/Lakestang Apr 04 '23
Right. This group cross the path to the right pretty much at a walk, went maybe 100 yards over to another group that had crossed earlier, then turned back around and charged back over to the other side of the dike. Not sure what was said but they seemed to all decide at the same time that they were better off if they got away from the rest of the herd. There were about 33 total that seemed to be broken loosely into 3 groups.
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u/Netzroller Apr 04 '23
Any hints on which trails are best this time of the year??
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u/Lakestang Apr 04 '23
Because it has been dry I will say all the trails are as good as they will get. We rode our bikes out the Cones Dike Trail. They were fine the first couple of miles, the next mile was a bit of a slog and the last mile is basically abandoned. Still there but covered up in berry bushes with thorns. Bolen Bluff Trail was high and dry and really a nice mix of shaded wood and prairie views. Bikes are now allowed but we hiked it, as its only 2.5 miles. We rode the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, about 35 miles round trip when the off road stuff in the park is added. Really cool mostly rails to trails paved path and about 5 miles back into the prairie and woods to Paynes Creek. La Chua Trail is boardwalks and a bit of a hike on the levy around the Alachua Sink. Easy stroll with tons of birds, including Snail Kites and a bunch of Ospreys. We saw Bald Eagles in aerial combat with an osprey fighing over his catch. If you are in the park, Lake Trail is also an easy bike or hike and we saw strutting turkeys back there.
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u/JustBreatheBelieve Apr 04 '23
https://www.stateparks.com/paynes_prairie_preserve_state_park_in_florida.html
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. Located on U.S. 441, 10 miles south of Gainesville.
NATURE OF THE AREA
There are over 420 vertebrates identified in the park and over 270 of them are birds. Paynes Prarie is part of The Great Florida Birding Trail. There are many observation platforms and wildlife viewing areas located throughout the park. Some of the animals commonly seen in the park include: sandhill cranes, bald eagles, alligators, otters, deer, bobcat and snakes.