Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Tours

500px Photo ID: 46907804 - Paynes Prairie, Alachua Sink @dusk. Gainesville, Florida
This is a relatively new wetlands area just south of Gainesville, Fl. It attracts a large variety of birds and of course there are 'gators to be seen.
I love finding a place to hike during a #roadtrip. It means getting to stretch your legs AND see something new, since you're not in your home region. Lauding a 900+ mile trip from Orlando to Richmond, we hiked the Bolen Bluff Trail to get this view in Payne's Prairie, just south of Gainesville, FL.
This was taken from the Observation Tower in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville. On a good day you can see deer, bison, and wild horses!
This sign greets visitors to the wetlands. There are many animals (bird species and alligators) to be seen at this prime location for photographers in Gainesville. Make sure you bring some money for parking which will cost $5 for a car but a visit is definitely worthwhile and can take some time considering the extent of the park.
A day at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is the perfect remedy to busy city life. Slow things right down, lace up your hiking boots and discover this area of natural beauty.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park charges admission and is located in Gainesville. Wondering where to go afterward? It's hard to move in this area without stumbling on something fun to do! Micanopy Historical Society Museum also appeals to plenty of curious visitors.

Plan a trip to see Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Westgate Vacation Villas Resort

Westgate Vacation Villas Resort

4 out of 5
Save 100% on your flight
Price was $686, price is now $309 per person
$309
per person
May 3 - May 9
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip non-stop flight included
Boston (BOS) to Orlando (MCO)
8/10 Very Good! (1,820 reviews)
Housekeeping apparently costs $180 USD unless you're there for over 14 days to then qualify for house keeping on day 15 free of charge. Our pool towels were missing from our room and the playpen we requested for our baby was broken. The pools were filled with debris (understandable seeing as there is a lot of foliage around the pools) but no maintence people clean it out throughout the day. The arcade is EXPENSIVE. The games are 20+ tickets each. The coffee stand closes in the (very) early afternoon. Front desk staff doesn't communicate well. This place nickel and dimes you for everything. The elevator had a communication failure and was beeping the entire stay. If you're looking for a family fun property like this, stay at The Grove down the road. It's better, cheaper, more updated rooms and the waterpark is included in your stay unlike this resort.

Reviewed on Mar 20, 2026

Creekside Inn

Creekside Inn

2.5 out of 5
Price was $1,501, price is now $633 per person
$633
per person
Apr 26 - May 1
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip flight included
Boston (BOS) to Miami (MIA)
7.8/10 Good! (1,027 reviews)
Kind of run down. Need updates bad

Reviewed on Mar 20, 2026

Casablanca Miami Beach

Casablanca Miami Beach

3 out of 5
North Beach
Price was $5,728, price is now $2,522 per person
$2,522
per person
May 21 - May 25
found 23 hours ago
Roundtrip flight included
Boston (BOS) to Miami (MIA)
5.8/10 (321 reviews)
Room was clean and great location beside the beach. Room had kitchette and big fridge, microwave etc. so was great. It was dated and internet didn't work in our room but worked well in the lobby. Great value for money :) happy with it.

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2026

Popular places to visit

First visit to the Cade Museum today... The building itself was probably the most interesting thing I saw. Very cool structure from every angle.

Depot Park

Find out about the history of Gainesville when you spend time at Depot Park. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Depot Park
Peleides blue morpho butterfly

Florida Museum of Natural History

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Florida Museum of Natural History during your trip to Gainesville. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

Florida Museum of Natural History
The Florida Museum of Natural History has an amazing osteological and fossil collection

Cultural Plaza

Learn about the local history of Gainesville when you spend time at Cultural Plaza. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Cultural Plaza

Micanopy Cemetery

Enjoy a stop at Micanopy Cemetery, a landmark worth seeing in Micanopy. Stroll along the lakeside or attend a sporting event in the area.

Micanopy Cemetery

Micanopy Historical Society Museum

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Micanopy Historical Society Museum during your trip to Micanopy. Amble around the area's lakeside or attend a sporting event.

Micanopy Historical Society Museum

Price's Scrub State Park

You can take time to visit Price's Scrub State Park during your travels to Micanopy. Stroll along the lakeside or experience the area's festivals.

Price's Scrub State Park

Best Lodging Options Near Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Micanopy Inn

Micanopy Inn

2 out of 5
17110 SE County Road 234 Micanopy FL
Micanopy Inn
HOM Hotel Gainesville, SureStay Collection by Best Western

HOM Hotel Gainesville, SureStay Collection by Best Western

2.5 out of 5
3905 Sw 43Rd St Gainesville FL
HOM Hotel Gainesville, SureStay Collection by Best Western
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gainesville, FL

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gainesville, FL

3 out of 5
4015 Sw 43rd St Gainesville FL
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gainesville, FL
DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville

DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville

4 out of 5
3726 Sw 40th Blvd Gainesville FL
DoubleTree by Hilton Gainesville
Drury Inn & Suites Gainesville

Drury Inn & Suites Gainesville

3 out of 5
4000 Southwest 40th Blvd Gainesville FL
Drury Inn & Suites Gainesville
Sleep Inn & Suites University/Shands

Sleep Inn & Suites University/Shands

2.5 out of 5
4110 SW 40th Boulevard Gainesville FL
Sleep Inn & Suites University/Shands
Comfort Suites Gainesville near University

Comfort Suites Gainesville near University

2.5 out of 5
2603 SW 13TH STREET Gainesville FL
Comfort Suites Gainesville near University
Gator Town Inn

Gator Town Inn

2 out of 5
3820 SW 13th Street Gainesville FL
Gator Town Inn
Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida

Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida

3 out of 5
1514 Southwest 14th Street Gainesville FL
Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida
See all 780 properties in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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