Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
La Chua Trail is the draw: a boardwalk and levee walk out onto the prairie basin where gators, some quite large, gather in the open wetlands. Cooler months (November to March) bring the best visibility as vegetation dies back and animals bask more. The trail gets close to the water in spots; keep moving, keep 30 feet minimum, and never step off the levee to get a photo. Wild bison also roam the prairie, so watch footing and surroundings both.
Know before you go
| Fee | Check operator site |
|---|---|
| Parking | La Chua Trail lot off County Rd 234 |
| Water | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Access | La Chua Trail boardwalk and levee |
| Surface | — |
| Hours | — |
| Operator | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
| Website | floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/paynes-prairie-preserve-state-park |
Map
Nearby in Florida
Sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Last verified: July 18, 2026. See our methodology for how we score listings.