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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Herlong Mansion Micanopy

Micanopy

Established near the south rim of the great Alachua Savanna in 1821, Micanopy is edged by an arc of marshy prairies, with Paynes Prairie the largest and most well-known

Founded in 1821, Micanopy is Florida’s oldest inland town. It is also one of Florida’s top destinations for antiques shopping.

With a quaint downtown shaded by ancient live oaks, it has architecture that provides a snapshot of the late 1800s.


Contents

  • 1 Outdoor Destinations
  • 2 Barr Hammock Preserve
  • 3 Chacala Trail
  • 4 Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk
  • 5 Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail
  • 6 Lake Trail
  • 7 Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve
  • 8 Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
  • 9 Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve
  • 10 Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
  • 11 Prairie Creek Preserve
  • 12 Tuscawilla Preserve
  • 13 Wacahoota Trail
  • 14 Related Articles
  • 15 Along Lake Wauberg
  • 16 Paynes Prairie in purple 
  • 17 Paynes Prairie: A North Florida Gem
  • 18 Wild horses on Paynes Prairie

Outdoor Destinations

South Levee Barr Hammock Preserve

Barr Hammock Preserve

Circling Levy Prairie at Barr Hammock Preserve provides a glimmer of understanding of the chain of prairies that William Bartram saw during his 1774 traverse of the region

Oak hammock along the Chacala Trail

Chacala Trail

For the longest loop hike in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, tackle the Chacala Trail for a 6.2-mile circuit that brings you to a view of Chacala Pond

Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk

Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk

Providing the easiest-to-reach panorama of Paynes Prairie, the Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk encourages you to stop and take it all in

Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail

Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail

One of North Florida’s oldest bike paths, the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail provides a mostly shaded rural ride

Lake Trail boardwalk Paynes Prairie

Lake Trail

Along the Lake Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve, Lake Wauberg and the wildlife that lives in it is the star attraction

Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve

Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve

A worthwhile wander on water management lands, this loop hike at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve hits the highlights of this colorful 2,850-acre preserve.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

At Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, docents in 1940s dress take you through the living and working space of this Pulitzer-winning novelist beloved by regional historians for her accurate depictions of rural North Florida.

Micanopy Native American Preserve

Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve

On the high ground above Lake Tuscawilla, an ancient village once stood. The Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve is dedicated to its memory and preservation.

Paynes Prairie pickerelweed blooms

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Protecting a massive natural basin of prairie between Micanopy and Gainesville, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park combines panoramic views with wildlife watching along its trails

Prairie Creek at Prairie Creek Preserve

Prairie Creek Preserve

In the deep shade of the floodplain of Prairie Creek near Gainesville, Prairie Creek Preserve is a beauty spot provided to the public by the Alachua Conservation Trust

Tuscawilla Preserve live oak canopy

Tuscawilla Preserve

Peek through thick curtains of Spanish moss beneath grandfather live oaks along the shores of an ancient lake

Tower at Paynes Prairie

Wacahoota Trail

Savor the view from five stories up as you scan the horizon for wild horses from the observation tower on the south rim of Paynes Prairie


Related Articles

You'll always see reptiles along Lake Wauberg

Along Lake Wauberg

A wander along Lake Wauberg to the symphony of Archie Carr’s favorite frogs brought memories flooding back of gentler times.

Paynes Prairie in purple 

Resplendent in the royal purples of pickerelweed, Paynes Prairie is a showy place as spring fades to summer

Paynes Prairie blooms

Paynes Prairie: A North Florida Gem

A natural landform between Gainesville and Micanopy, Paynes Prairie is an immense and ever-changing basin

Wild horses grazing on the prairie

Wild horses on Paynes Prairie

That magical moment when you climb to the top of the observation tower on the rim of Paynes Prairie and see the wild horses on the prairie for the first time: priceless.


Nearby: Gainesville, Cross Creek, Ocala, Williston

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Sinkhole pond with cypress knees and duckweed

Manatee Springs North End Trails

Manatee Springs North End Trails
Morning light in the upland forest at Manatee Springs

Manatee Springs Scenic Trail

Manatee Springs Scenic Trail
Grassy path edged by dense diminutive scrub forest

Cedar Key Scrub East Loop

Cedar Key Scrub East Loop
Archway at Fort Clinch

Fort Clinch Walking Tour

Fort Clinch Walking Tour

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