Payne’s Prairie State Park – 11/9/17 – 9:15  AM

Note: The Photo Gallery is linked at the bottom of this page

We will meet at the La Chua trail head at 9:15.  The address is 4801 Camp Ranch Road, Gainesville, FL.  The cost is $6 per vehicle, no cost for Florida State Parks pass holders.  We will be guided on a tour of the La Chua Trail boardwalk and walking past the Alachua Sink and Alachua Lake. The focus will be on alligators, how they live, where they live, how dangerous they are, where they nest, etc.  There will be photo ops for alligators, hawks, great blue herons, limpkins and others.  As of Thursday (11/7) it appears that the Boardwalk will be open for a complete tour.  For those familiar with Payne’s Prairie from the visitor’s center, the LaChua Trail is located in an entirely different area.  The map below is correct. For those concerned with distance, the trail cement and boardwalk.  It is roughly 3 miles round trip. 

 

 

Following the tour, and depending upon the water table, you can continue to explore the prairie.  There are a few options.  There is an additional walking trail at the La Chua Trail entrance (no boardwalk). You can continue on to the Payne’s Prairie visitors center (about 20 minutes).  At that location there is an observation tower and additional trails.   On the the way to that location there is an observation deck on highway 441.  The Visitor’s  Center is at 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy, FL 32667, Phone: 352-466-3397.

Also, the historic town of Micanopy has a certain amount of photographic charm.  Micanopy is small enough that most will be satisfied with 45-90 minutes to photograph the area.   

 

 

Historic Micanopy

 

 

 

 

 

We have lunch reservations for 1:00 at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, 6611 W. Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605.   Telephone: 352-331-8070.   Allow about 20 minutes from any Payne’s Prairie area.  

Links to Maps and Other Information

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MAPS HAVE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO AFTER THE TOUR. 

A Brochure and Map for Payne’s Prairie is available here:  Payne’s Prairie Map

The Payne’s Prairie Web Site is here: Payne’s Prairie Web Site

Directions to La Chua Trailhead from Jacksonville:  Google Maps – Jax to LaChua Trail

Directions to Visitor’s Center from La Chua Trailhead:  Google Maps – LaChua Trail to Payne’s 

Directions to Micanopy from Payne’s Prairie Visitor Center: Google Maps – Paynes to Micanopy

Directions to BJ’s from Payne’s Prairie Visitor Center:  Google Maps – Payne’s to BJ’s

Directions to BJ’s from La Chua Trailhead: Google Maps: La Chua to BJ’s

For questions, please contact Anita Fanic at (215) 317-7663.

Photo Gallery: Payne’s Prarie and Surrounds

Registration List: Click for Registration List