Paynes Prairie Vacation and Resort Properties

Paynes Prairie is a savanna area south of Gainesville, Florida, where bird species are abundant. Alligators and bison are also present. Trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Fishing on Lake Wauburg is allowed and a boat ramp provides access for canoes and boats with electric motors. Full-facility campsites are available for overnight visitors.

Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science (5 miles) The museum works to provide thought-provoking exhibtions and educational programs that enhance the relationship between art and... More

National Forests in Florida: Apalachicola-Ocala-Osceola (42 miles) Florida has three National Forests comprising over 1.25 million acres. The Apalachicola and Osceola National Forests are in the northern half of the State, while the Ocala National Forest is located in central Florida. Representing only three percent of Florida's land base, these Forests provide the largest supply of forest recreation opportunities in the State.Forests provide the largest supply of forest recreation opportunities in the... More

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (50 miles) The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1983 specifically for the protection of the endangered West Indian Manatee. This unique refuge preserves the last unspoiled and undeveloped habitat in Kings Bay, which forms the headwaters of the Crystal River. The refuge preserves the warm water spring havens, which provide critical habitat for the manatee populations that migrate here each winter.... More

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge (51 miles) Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1979, is located along the southern edge of the Big Bend region of Florida's west coast, approximately 50 miles southwest of Gainsville. This 54,000 acre refuge is one of the largest undeveloped river delta - estuarine systems in the United States and was established to protect natural ecosystems of the Suwannee River's lower reaches and coastal marsh, as it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This diverse mixture of uplands, freshwater,... More