Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Experience wide open plains where you least expect them -- in Florida! That's right, Florida is home to prairie land, complete with grazing bison and wild horses. Now a natural preserve offering numerous hiking trails, an observation tower, and a lake, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park definitely makes for an out-of-the-ordinary Florida getaway.

If you're looking to camp here, you can choose from one of the 44 campsites available, most of which can accommodate both tents and RVs. Many of the sites provide electric hookups and three of them are wheelchair accessible, so all are able to come and enjoy this beautiful park. The comfort stations here bring the luxuries of home out into nature, while water faucets and fountains make camping here even simpler. A dump station is located on-site as well as trash receptacles for you to dispose of all of your waste. 

To enter any Florida state park, you must purchase a ParkPass. These permits cost $6 at Paynes Prairie Preserve and must be bought in addition to camping permits. Nightly fees for the campsites are $18, no matter the size of lot you reserve or time of year you visit. Keep in mind that reservations themselves cost an extra $6.70.

While here, there are all sorts of fun activities that you can partake in. Lake Wauburg is a great place for paddling around or casting a line, though boats with gas motors are strictly prohibited. You'll be able to access 8 different trails from the campsite, but carefully check which ones do not allow pooches before bringing Fido along, as the alligators, snakes, and bison make some of the paths dangerous for our doggos.

Speaking of our fur-babies, you're allowed to have them on any of the campsites at this state park, provided they stay on-leash for your visit. Also, be sure to be a good pet parent while you're here by always scooping up your pet's waste.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a great place to learn about history and ecology, and have fun!