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Paynes Prairie is an unpredictable Florida treasure, boasting herds of wild horses and bison, nearly 300 species of birds and a unique ecosystem that visitors will enjoy exploring. The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allow one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views.

Thirty minutes outside of Orlando, a natural theme park awaits those with a hearty outdoor spirit. The park’s three major lakes will transform idle observers into active participants with canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding among this park’s many thrills.

Florida's heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida cow hunters in an 1876-era cow camp. White-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys and bobcats have been seen in the park, located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger and Rosalie.

Wildlife thrives in this vast Central Florida park where forests, lakes and natural communities beg to be explored. We offer several different kinds of camping experiences, including an equestrian campground and a group campground.

Sixteen distinct natural communities create the mosaic that is Jonathan Dickinson, the largest state park in Southeast Florida. Rare environments as well as the pristine Loxahatchee River make this park a unique spot to explore on land or by water.