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paynes prairie

Wild Bison Call this Florida Prairie Home

By Michael Warren

Florida Bison at Paynes Prairie

The typical picture of “buffalo” roaming the great North American plains understates just how far the bison ranged in their heyday. In the 18th century they could be found as far afield as Alaska, New York . . . and, yes, even Florida. So when the Florida park service in 1975 reintroduced a small herd […]

Filed Under: Florida Day Trips, Florida State Parks Tagged With: bison, gainesville, paynes prairie

Paynes Prairie Wildlife Hike: LaChua Trail

By Michael Warren

Wild Bison at Paynes Prairie

PAYNES PRAIRIE STATE PRESERVE, FL — For a short hike with guaranteed wildlife sightings, you can’t beat the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie State Preserve south of Gainesville. This trail (3 miles round trip) is just teeming with critters: dozens of alligators, a myriad of birds, even an occasional herd of wild bison or […]

Filed Under: Florida Day Trips, Florida State Parks Tagged With: gainesville, hike, La Chua Trail, paynes prairie

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