The Welaka mud is soooo amazing!.. You can walk, run and do…read moreexercise, bike and walk dog around there.. The pool is very cold omg and your body feel nice when you get out of the water.

Absolutely beautiful spring. A short mile and a half hike to the beautiful spring. Well worth the…read moretrip

Hidden gem! We loved swimming and my boys enjoyed climbing the palm tree…read more We did a short trail and saw plants and bugs! We had a picnic at a table but moved to the sun because the boys were cold.

sure didn't look like the brochure. too many bugs, spring…read moredidn't look like the pictures. much smaller area. several outhouses in the parking lot no refunds once you pay even if it's 5 minutes later

I love State Parks and if I'm in the area even while camping in the RV at a different State Park I…read moreusually will visit other parks that are in the vicinity, there are so many State Parks in Florida it seems I always find one to visit for the first time. We arrived here mid-morning on a weekday, so there wasn't many visitors in the park and we were able to drive the winding roads much of it under the tree canopy and well under the posted speed limit. We started out at the visitor center which if pretty amazing here at Paynes Prairie SP it has a lot of interactive displays and a short film outlining the park's history and amenities. The staff here is so welcoming and quick to answer any questions and provided us some details of what the park has to offer and what you can expect to see during any season. It's impossible to see and do everything in one trip so I had a few things I wanted to accomplish during our visit in only a few hours - besides walking a few of the beautiful trails, I wanted to catch a glimpse of the bison and wild horses that roam the prairie, there are a few vantage points to do this in the park starting with telescopes inside the visitors center and a deck in the backyard there, but I was more interested in getting closer to nature so we headed for the beautiful observation tower located just a few hundred feet further down the concrete path and wow what a view. Well today the bison and wild horses were no where to be found due to the temperatures but we did see some of the smaller animals roaming through the brush and wooded areas so it was a good day. The parks is very well maintained and has many things in place so you can make the most of your visit including a beautiful pier, a boat launch, Pavilions with charcoal grills, clean restrooms, a gift shop inside the visitor center, lots of well marked hiking trails, plenty of paved parking lots and a beautiful campground with large private sites. This park is definitely worth a visit and one I'd love to return to again and again...

What a beautiful park! So many trails to take advantage and never enough time!…read more Great and helpful staff (who will allow you to loan binoculars if you forgot yours and give you ideas on which trails are best for you based on what you are looking to experience) If you are in the area and are a nature nut (like me), come and take a look around. We saw deer, alligators and plenty of birds in our short excursion!

As an English teacher, a lover of nature, and someone who loves to travel, I can say that our long…read moreanticipated journey to visit Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park did not disappoint. I first stumbled upon "The Yearling" earlier this year after having a conversation with a wonderful woman on the Cumberland Island boat ferry tour over the summer. She mentioned how much she enjoyed her visit to cross Creek. As a California resident, I borrowed the book from a family member who had it, and thus my love for Marjorie, her life, and work was born! We first arrived at her house, and walked around the citrus orange groves. We played with the pet chickens, and made numerous observations of the property. Shortly after, the tour began. The house tour was led by Emma, a young, extremely warm, and knowledgeable tour guide. Emma made everybody feel extra comfortable, inviting questions and comments openly. The tour takes you through her living quarters, her bathroom, master bedroom, and guest rooms. The artifacts, decor, and design have been preserved to fit the exact historical era of Marjorie's life, and the artifacts are original belongings. The tour offers visitors a chance to learn colorful stories about Marjorie's life, a close look at her literary accomplishments, and a bonus is to get to see her kitchen to truly appreciate her love of cooking. After the tour, it's highly recommended that you make a stop at the yearling restaurant, just around the bend in the country road. It is there were you can enjoy delicious southern cuisine inspired by her, and buy from the incredible selection of books and gifts they offered in their gift shop. The tour guide also had mentioned that the park offers great cooking demonstrations from her cookbook "Cross Creek Cookery" in the spring months. I certainly look forward to visiting again to participate!

I was prompted to read "Cross Creek" because I am closely associated with the Mickens family who…read moreare referenced throughout the book. So we decided we'd go visit. I felt taken back in time The tour and information shared was well presented and only lead to more curiosity about this beautiful place that Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings immortalized in her novels. Read her books, visit the park, history is our teacher. Florida is such a beautiful place, if only we could stop paving this paradise... maybe we'd all see places like Cross Creek. Thank you to the staff and for Marjorie's gifts to the State and humanity.

Nice park with a view of the lake and a few picnic tables. This is a nice place to come chill for a…read morebit.

If you are driving around the local state roads you could be completely oblivious the massive Santa…read moreFe Lake which is on the outskirts of Melrose. Santa Fe Lake Park allows free access to the lake, an area to picnic, playground, and restrooms. There is a channel that goes from the boat ramp to the lake. I highly recommend if you do access the lake to make a note of where the channel to the boat ramp is as it is easily lost due to the many cypress trees that can hide it. Parking is ample as well. The park itself does not offer a view of the lake or any water activities other than the boat launch, it is a nice place to have a picnic. I launched my kayak from the boat launch, and enjoyed the park especially since it is free.

Decided to check out Deleon springs, it wasn't too busy for a Friday thankfully we got a spot close…read moreto the spring which was nice, your allowed to bring a small pop up tent or a small umbrella. They have a gift shop and bathrooms very close to the spring and on the opposite side is the pancake house and gril where you can order from a window for take away small bites and drinks, only alcohol sells inside the restaurant, The inside of the pancake house was so hot, I felt for the employees!!! as much as we wanted to experience cooking your own pancakes it was too hot that day. The spring was a nice experience but this one was to small for me. Great for families and a close drive from Orlando.

This is a great spot to stop by if you're driving through the area! The swimming area is…read morefantastic--it has shallow sections perfect for younger kids and non-strong swimmers, plus deeper water for adults and bigger kids. The water stays around a comfortable 75°F year-round, so it's best to visit during warmer weather to really enjoy it. It's also an excellent place for a picnic, with a kids' park and a restaurant right there. I highly recommend this spot! It's a hidden gem

Lake Wauburg is a cool lake that sits just south of Paynes Prairie and is located in Alachua…read moreCounty, Florida. It is a pleasant enough lake and while not big, it is a nice place to chill for a bit.

Beautiful lake offering an array of nature activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking,…read moremountain biking, sailing, stand-up paddle-boarding, wake-boarding, water skiing, and more. Life jackets are available for wear and must be buckled. Different policies are authorized for each activity. Grills, pavilions, and picnic tables are also available for use. UF students, with a Gator 1 card, have the ability to sign out the following: Canoe (seats up to 3 persons) Kayak (seats up to 2 persons) Paddleboat (seats up to 2 or 4 persons) Rowboat (seats up to 3 to 5 persons) With the nature atmospheric feel, Lake Wauburg is certainly worth checking out, especially if you are a nature and outdoor lover.

I came here for the first time for a nature trail tour by a UF forestry employee. After the tour I…read moreleft with more knowledge about the vegetation and various tree varieties. It truly reminds you why this city feels so peaceful and rooted in nature. The combination of the nature trails, the historic farm, and the quiet, spacious grounds makes it the perfect place to slow down and breathe. I loved how well‑kept everything was, the trails are clearly marked, the farm area is clean and thoughtfully maintained, and the whole space feels safe and family‑friendly without being loud or crowded. The farm is such a unique touch. It really feels like stepping back in time, and the staff and volunteers do a great job keeping the experience authentic. The animals are well cared for, and the whole area has a calm, simple charm that's rare to find. The trails themselves are beautiful, a mix of shaded paths, open stretches, and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife if you're paying attention. It's an easy place to spend an hour or two without realizing how much time has passed. Perfect for solo walks, quiet mornings, or bringing someone who needs a grounding, gentle outing.

This 400 acre nature preserve overseen by the City of Gainesville in Alachua County with seven…read moremiles of trails through a diverse ecosystem of Florida pines, flatwoods, sandhills, and cypress domes. Also abundant wildlife and wildflowers. They feature a Living History Farm which recreates a rural 1870's homestead with historic buildings, a school and farm animals. These historic buildings were moved to this location. We enjoyed experiencing the pioneer life plus the cows, sheep and hogs on the farm. We were there for the Wednesday afternoon program but it is only from September to May. No fee to enter. The farm is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:30pm and the park is open every 8am to 6pm.

Kicking off the new year on a new trail - and it was a great one! This trail is part of the Majorie…read moreHarris Carr Cross Florida Greenway that stretches from the Gulf to the St Johns River, the Greenway is a Florida State Park. This address takes you to the Landbridge Trailhead (approximately 1.4 miles NE of the actual I-75 Landbridge) and has separate parking and trails for equestrians -vs- hikers and bikers which is nice. There are bathrooms, a water bottle filler, a bike wash station, a few picnic tables, a bike tool station (although the air hose was cut) and all of it very well maintained given the impressive number of acres. The mountain bike trail intersected the paved trail so when we had enough bumps (hello, beginner here?!) we could take the paved trail a little while longer and all the back, thank goodness.

Great hike easy to moderate difficulty (not totally flat) make sure to bring water and stay…read morehydrated interesting to stand above I75 and watch the traffic pass below

This is a very tranquil place. The entrance is on a fast curve, so you have to be careful turning…read morein!! If you are on foot, or bike, you can enter from the sidewalk on 16th Ave, as you go down the hill past Colony Park. Colony Park is the subdivision with the curvy brick wall. As you go down the hill, on the right, you will see a small grassy area. There is no sign, so you'll have to be sharp!! This park is so very peaceful. There is a lazy creek that snakes though it. There are at least ten man-made bridges and decks that let you enjoy a nice stroll through nature. Lots and lots of birds will be sounding out, especially in the morning. You can walk your dog, bring some hot coffee, binoculars, camera, etc. You won't believe that you are in the middle of the city!! The word "enclave" comes to mind, as the mood in this park is almost magical and surprisingly isolated. You feel safe and peaceful. I am definitely going back. They even have doggy bag dispensers!!

Alfred A Ring Park is very close to town; it's a nice walk getting here :-)…read more Tip: The funds to preserve this small bit of greenery were donated by Mr. Alfred A. Ring, which is why the park bears his name There's bridge from the parking lot into the park proper which very much reminds me of Costa Rica; there are some pretty nice views to take in when you cross it.