On the north rim of Paynes Prairie, the La Chua Trail is largely an elevated boardwalk connecting two significant pools of water.
At the near end, Alachua Sink. It serves as a drain for Paynes Prairie, which is a massive karst basin with a flat floor edged by bluffs, a polje.
Paynes Prairie as seen from the boardwalkIts rich soil underlays a productive marsh vital for wildlife in the region, especially reptiles and amphibians, and numerous species of birds.
But when Alachua Sink plugs up or the aquifer below rises, Alachua Lake forms, covering the marsh, sometimes up to an expanse of reflective waters.
In 2007, Alachua Lake attracted white pelicans and whooping cranes. It returned again in 2018.
Alachua LakeThe prairie was first documented by royal botanist William Bartram in 1774. In more recent centuries, the landscape was drained by ranchers for cattle grazing.
Establishing Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park was the first step towards undoing the damage done by drainage canals.
Drainage canals like this one impacted natural hydrologyThe far end of the La Chua Trail overlooks a near-permanent pond where the prairie drains towards the sink.
When the prairie naturally dries out, an an incredible quantity of alligators gather here.
Alligators sunningResources
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Overview
Location: Gainesville
Length: 1.1 miles
Trailhead: 29.610250, -82.304264
Fees: $4 per vehicle or $2 for cyclists and hikers walking in
Restroom: Portable toilet
Land Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-466-3397
Dogs ARE NOT PERMITTED because of the risk to both them and you of an alligator coming after them.
Please do not go beyond the end of the boardwalk with small children. Monitor them carefully.
Don’t forget your binoculars for birding!
Directions
From the park’s main entrance on US 441 north of Micanopy, drive north, crossing the vastness of the prairie to reach Gainesville. At the first traffic light, SR 331, turn right. Keep to the right and drive 2.2 miles to SE 4th Street. When this road ends after 0.9 mile, keep right to turn onto SE 15th Street (CR 2043). Pass Boulware Springs Park before coming to a bend in the road at a mile. Take the right turn at the bend to head straight into the park entrance at Camp Ranch Road. The trailhead gate is locked at 5 PM.
Hike
Start at the parking area, where there is a kiosk with information and trail maps. Follow the paved path.
Winding between ancient oaks and clusters of plum trees, it reaches and crosses the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail.
TrailheadContinue between more trees. The power line poles on the right may be topped with a large osprey nest.
Passing beneath an old archway, turn left and enter an old stable with stalls still intact.
Archway that looks like a underpass beneath a railroadWarning signs advise not to get too close to the alligators, and that the prairie is a free range. Bison, wild horses, and cattle roam it.
The paved path continues towards Alachua Sink, rimmed by hardwood forest on its north side.
Passionflower along the trailAt the first bench, the boardwalk begins. There are two sinkholes visible that make up Alachua Sink.
The nearest one is a karst window. The water inside it is within the Floridan Aquifer.
Alachua SinkIf there is enough pressure below, water can emerge from it to flood the prairie.
The upper sinkhole drains the prairie with an audible rushing of water. Sometimes a waterfall into it is visible.
In wet years, both sinkholes merge into one big pondThe boardwalk works its way around the upper sink, providing various angles of view. The expanse of the prairie lies to the right.
Look up the boardwalk. When low, a natural sluiceway connects the upper ponds with the low spot of the sink.
Walking towards the prairieAt times of high water, it’s all one giant pond. Following the curve uphill, take in a first view of the upper ponds.
Look below, as both birds and alligators settle and sun along the banks of the waterway.
Anhinga drying its wingsAt the top, the expanse is much like it was in early photographs of this very spot, with those rocks jutting out on the far side.
In 1774, William Bartram was impressed by the size and quantity of alligators in this pond.
Alligators along the upper pondIn his Travels, he wrote: “In and about the Great Sink, are to be seen incredible numbers of crocodiles…some of which are of an enormous size.”
“If permitted by them, I could walk over any part of the bason and the river upon their heads.”
The sheer volume of alligators can be astoundingWe’ve had visits where there were so many alligators below it looked like a bowl of cereal, all the heads sticking out.
The boardwalk ends. Beyond it, a footpath extends along a bluff above the waters flowing into the drainage for roughly a hundred yards.
Expanse of watersThis new conclusion to the trail trims its original route out into the prairie substantially.
Turn around and retrace your steps along the boardwalk. Reach the La Chua Trail trailhead at 1.1 miles.
Alachua Lake Overlook in a lake yearWant more miles? Add a walk on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail to one of the overlooks flanking the La Chua Trail.
Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail One of North Florida’s oldest bike paths, the 15.3 mile linear Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail provides a mostly shaded rural ride.Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Protecting a massive natural basin of prairie between Micanopy and Gainesville, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park combines panoramic views with wildlife watching along its trails.More trails in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Chacala Trail For the longest loop hike in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, tackle the Chacala Trail for a 6.2-mile circuit that brings you to a view of Chacala Pond.
Paynes Prairie Lake Trail Along the Lake Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve, Lake Wauberg and the wildlife that lives in it is the star attraction.
Cones Dike Trail To fully immerse in the vastness of Paynes Prairie, follow the Cones Dike Trail, the longest of the footpaths that leads out into the prairie.
Wacahoota Trail Savor the view from five stories up as you scan the horizon for wild horses from the observation tower on the south rim of Paynes Prairie.
Bolens Bluff Trail Walk along a bluff where early explorers and native peoples once looked out over vastness of Paynes Prairie to discover a panorama that invites you to immerse in it.
Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk Providing the easiest-to-reach panorama of Paynes Prairie, the Ecopassage Observation Boardwalk encourages you to stop and take it all in.
Prairie Creek Boardwalk Under the dense canopy of a hardwood forest, the Prairie Creek Boardwalk provides a unique perspective on the creek that links Paynes Prairie and Newnans Lake. Slideshow
See our photos from the La Chua Trail
Nearby Adventures
Bivens Arm Nature Park The City of Gainesville's very first nature park, Bivens Arm Nature Park surrounds a marshy arm of Paynes Prairie where mature pines tower above the network of nature trails.
Sweetwater Preserve On the eastern side of Sweetwater Preserve, hike a gentle loop through the woods along Sweetwater Branch. 
Sweetwater Wetlands Park A gem for Gainesville, Sweetwater Wetlands Park offers a unique perspective on Paynes Prairie.
Newnans Lake West Hiking Trail A set of connected loop trails explore wet flatwoods, sparrow-filled pastures, and planted pines on the western slope of Newnans Lake State Forest. More Places to See Alligators
Other excellent destinations to see alligators in the wild in Florida.
Alligators Everywhere In spring, alligators become more active as the days warm up. It's also mating season, so alligators are on the move. Expect to see them anywhere and everywhere along Florida's trails.
- Baseline Trails - November 7, 2026
- Hal Scott Yellow Trail - November 3, 2026
- Hal Scott Preserve - October 28, 2026