Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida

Stargazing Party or Fire Fest? Lucky you, cause you are invited to both! These events, taking place annually in January and March, are just two more reasons to swing by this 22,000-acre state park (and national landmark!), located in the swampy savanna grasslands just south of Gainesville, Florida. With so much room to roam, Paynes Prairie Preserve is a hot spot for hikers, bikers, horseback riders and backpackers. With eight mixed-activity trails that offer 30 miles of excitement and exploration, you’ll undoubtedly uncover many of the 25 different natural communities, which include a whopping 800 types of plants and 420 varieties of vertebrate animal species. The 300-acre Lake Wauberg is another popular park attraction for canoers, kayakers and anglers, who can reel in the daily quota of bass, bream and speckled perch. Motor-boaters beware, however, because gasoline-powered engines are a no go. Bringing a furry friend along for a hike? What a fabulous idea. Just make sure to keep them far, far away from Bolen Bluff Trail, Cone’s Dike Trail and La Chua Trail so they don’t become an alligator’s lunch!