Florida State Parks in Alachua County facts for kids
Alachua County, Florida, is home to six amazing state parks! These parks are special places where you can explore nature, learn about history, and have fun outdoors. Two of them are even called National Natural Landmarks, which means they have unique natural features. One is a historic district, showing how people lived long ago, and another is a National Historic Landmark. There's even a park that's a rail trail, perfect for biking or walking.
Most Florida state parks are open every day from 8 AM until sunset, even on holidays. So, you can almost always find a time to visit!
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Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
Quick facts for kids Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Boardwalk leading down to the sinkhole's observation deck
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| Location | Alachua County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Gainesville, Florida |
| Area | 67 acres (270,000 m2) |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is a special Florida State Park near Gainesville, Florida. It's the only geological park in Florida! This means it's a great place to see how the Earth has changed over time. It's also a National Natural Landmark.
Exploring the Sinkhole
This park is famous for its huge sinkhole. A sinkhole is a big hole in the ground that forms when underground caves collapse. The sides of this sinkhole show layers of limestone, like a giant history book of the Earth!
Twelve small springs trickle water into a pond at the bottom. In summer, it's much cooler at the bottom of the sinkhole than at the top. This is because of the cool water from the springs.
Nature's Different Zones
Even though the park is only 67 acres, it has three very different natural areas.
- In the sandhill areas, the soil is sandy, and fires happen naturally. This helps pine trees grow tall.
- The hammock areas have moist soil. Here, you'll find many broadleaf trees and lots of smaller plants.
- The swamp areas are always wet. Only plants and animals that love water can live here.
A Spooky Name and a Cool History
The sinkhole is 117 feet deep and 500 feet wide. It got its name because it looks like the "hopper" of a mill. People found animal bones at the bottom, which made them think animals might have fallen in.
The state bought this land in 1974. In 1976, they built 232 wooden steps. Now, you can walk down to an observation deck at the bottom. It's a unique adventure!
Park Hours
Devil's Millhopper is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
| Dudley Farm | |
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Dudley Farm visitor center
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| Location | Alachua County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Newberry |
| Area | 2,598 acres (10.51 km2) |
| Established | October 4, 2002 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
The Dudley Farm is a special historic district in Newberry, Florida. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
This park is a real working farm! It shows what farming was like in Florida from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. You can see 21 old buildings and 13 other structures. It's like stepping back in time to see how people lived and worked on a farm long ago.
Park Hours
Dudley Farm is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The farmstead itself closes a bit earlier, at 4:00 PM.
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
| Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail | |
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| Location | Alachua County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Gainesville, Florida |
| Area | 16-mile (26 km) length |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is a fantastic rail trail in Florida. A rail trail is a path built on an old railroad line. This trail is 16 miles long!
It stretches from Gainesville, Florida all the way to the town of Hawthorne, Florida. Along the way, it goes through the beautiful Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.
Fun Activities on the Trail
This trail is perfect for many outdoor activities:
- Hiking and running
- Cycling and rollerblading
- Horseback riding (there's a special grassy path for horses!)
It's a great place to get exercise and enjoy nature.
Trail Hours
The main entrance at Boulware Springs is open from 8 AM to 6 PM from November to April. From May to October, it's open from 8 AM to 8 PM. The part of the trail that goes through Paynes Prairie is open from 8 AM until sunset, every day of the year.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
| Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park | |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Looking east along the US 441 outlook ramp
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| Location | Alachua County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Gainesville, Florida |
| Area | 21,000 acres (85 km2) |
| Established | 1971 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Paynes Prairie is a huge Florida State Park south of Gainesville, Florida. It's a massive 21,000-acre savanna, which is a large grassland with scattered trees. It's also a US National Natural Landmark because of its unique natural features.
A Look Back in Time
In the 1700s, this prairie was home to the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe. Their chief, Ahaya the Cowkeeper, lived here. The prairie is named after his son, Payne.
Sometimes, the prairie would get so much water that it would flood and turn into a huge lake! This happened most recently from 1871 to 1886. During that time, steamboats actually sailed on what was called Alachua Lake!
Amazing Animals
Paynes Prairie is a fantastic place to see wildlife. Over 270 different kinds of birds live here! You might also spot American alligators.
One of the most exciting animals to see is the plains bison. These large animals were brought back to the park in the 1970s. They used to live here long ago, before European settlers arrived. It's rare to see them, but if you do, try looking along the Cone's Dike trail.
Fun Things to Do
The park has a visitor center with exhibits and videos. You can learn all about the prairie's nature and history. There's also a 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitor center. From the top, you get an amazing view of the whole preserve!
There are eight different trails for:
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Bicycling
Park rangers also lead fun activities on weekends from November to April. If you like fishing, you can fish on Lake Wauburg. There's a boat ramp for canoes and boats with electric motors. You can even camp overnight at the park!
Paynes Prairie is also a great spot for bird watching, as it's part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Gallery
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Sunset from the observation deck
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A wood stork at Paynes Prairie.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
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Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House
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View of the Kinnan Rawlings home
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| Location | Cross Creek, Alachua County, Florida |
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| Built | circa 1890 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000176 |
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| Added to NRHP | September 29, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | September 20, 2006 |
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a Florida State Park that was once the home of a famous Florida author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. It's located in Cross Creek, Florida, between Ocala and Gainesville.
Her home and farm are very important historically. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and were even named a National Historic Landmark.
Visiting the Park
The park is open every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can go hiking on two short trails. The best part is the hourly tours of the house and farm. These tours happen Thursday through Sunday, at 10 AM, 11 AM, and from 1 PM to 4 PM. (Note: Tours are not available in August, September, or on Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
During the tours, park employees dress in old-fashioned clothes. They tell stories about what life was like in rural Florida in the 1930s. It's a fun way to learn about history!
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
| San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park | |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Entrance to San Felasco Hammock State Park
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| Location | Alachua County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Alachua, Florida |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is another great Florida State Park in Alachua County, Florida. It's located northwest of Gainesville, Florida.
Animals You Might See
This park is home to many different animals, including:
- bobcats
- white-tailed deer
- gray foxes
- wild turkeys
- Many kinds of songbirds
It's a wonderful place for nature viewing and spotting wildlife!
Activities and Trails
San Felasco Hammock is perfect for outdoor adventures. You can enjoy:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback riding
The park has over 20 miles of trails! There are special trails for bikes, horses, and nature walks. It's a great place to explore the outdoors.
