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On this historic rail bed turned greenway, visitors pass by native plants and wildlife, diverse scenery and backyard Florida culture. Overlooks and stops of interest tie together a rich story along this corridor.

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.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this authentic working farm lets you step back in time. Learn about the evolution of Florida farming, bring the harvest in, mark the change of the seasons and see the heirloom roses bloom.

Visitors to this old Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life when Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived and worked in the tiny community of Cross Creek. This authentic Florida cracker homestead inspired the Pulitzer Prize winning author.