Friends of Paynes Prairie

10/11/2026

Friends of Paynes Prairie is excited to offer this Member Exclusive Rim Ramble hike as the first event in the upcoming interpretive season at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park on Saturday, October 24 from 9 am - 12 pm. A full description of this event and instructions on how to sign up can be found here: https://www.prairiefriends.org/event-6823250 or by visiting www.prairiefriends.org/events and clicking on the link in the calendar. Precise meeting place available in event confirmation.

If you're not a member of Friends of Paynes Prairie, we'd love to have you. Membership is the driving force behind the work we do for the park. Dues are more than reasonable and 100% of your dues are spent on projects to support Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Please join today by visiting www.prairiefriends.org/join and we'll see you on the prairie!

If you want to hike the Rim Ramble but don't want to become a Friends member, just watch the park events calendar for more Rim Ramble hikes. There will be plenty during the upcoming interpretive season (November - April).

10/03/2026

09/30/2026

📸🌿 LAST CALL for 2026 Photo Contest Entries! 🌿📸

Have you captured a beautiful moment at Paynes Prairie? There's still time to enter!

Submit one of your favorite Paynes Prairie photos by September 30 at 11:59 PM ET for your chance to be featured in our 2027 Visitor Center display!

🏆 WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
Each category winner will receive a Paynes Prairie gift shop item AND a beautiful custom glass print of their winning photo, courtesy of Fracture! One overall winner will also be recognized at our 2026 Annual Meeting in November.

📩 HOW TO ENTER: Email your photo to [email protected] and include:
• Your name & age
• Your email address
• Category
• Date & approximate time the photo was taken
• Location where the photo was taken

🦬Photos should be 10–15 MB and submitted as a JPG, JPEG, or GIF.

Don’t miss your shot!

📸 Andrew Furness, Plant Category Winner - Adult Division, 2025 Photo Contest

09/26/2026

Florida’s state parks are the reason we get to paddle crystal-clear springs, wander shady trails, and spot a heron or two on a Saturday morning. So we’re throwing them a party! A Party for the Parks, if you will. 🌿

In honor of National Public Lands Day, we’ve teamed up with the Florida State Parks Foundation for Pints for Parks, a statewide collab with eight Florida craft breweries raising funds for the parks we love.

As part of this collab, we’ve brewed up a parks-inspired I ♥ PARKS 🌴 Hazy IPA, releasing at the Party for Parks! Join us for a celebration of our Florida State Parks and be among the first to sip an I ♥ Parks Hazy IPA, listen to some live swampy guitar grooves from Daryl Hance, and enjoy eats from Taino Roots + Vegan Gator. PLUS grab a $10 wristband to support the Foundation that works hard to preserve and protect Florida’s world-class system of state parks, and enjoy $1 off drinks all night long.

Get out and explore, then come raise a pint to the parks with us. 🍻

🗓️ Friday, Oct. 2�⏰ 5 to 8 PM�📍 First Magnitude Brewing Co.

09/20/2026

09/19/2026

Many thanks to Florida State Parks Foundation Communication Director, Tim Linafelt for rounding out this season's Third Thursday Speaker's Series.

Tim shared with us all of the many wonderful projects that the FSPF is undertaking to promote their mission: to preserve, protect, sustain and grow Florida's award winning park system.

From Eco-Rover accessibility programs to boardwalk restorations to park management equipment purchasing grants, the FSPF is an extraordinary partner to our park's citizen support organizations (CSO). Their impact is felt statewide and Friends of Paynes Prairie is proud to work hand in hand with the Foundation.

09/19/2026

Come join us tomorrow for more dulcimer music at the visitor's center...

09/11/2026

🌿 What goes on behind the scenes to keep Florida’s parks thriving?

Join us for our last talk of the season! Come enjoy our September Speaker Series talk with Tim Linafelt from the Florida State Parks Foundation as he shares how the Foundation supports Florida’s state parks through partnerships, programs, and community support.

From helping bring an Eco-Rover to Paynes Prairie to supporting improvements at the Paynes Prairie State Park campground playground, the Foundation’s work makes a real difference right here at home 💚

Come learn more about the mission, impact, and partnerships helping Florida’s parks thrive!

📅 Thursday, September 17
📍 Paynes Prairie Visitors Center
🎟️ https://friendsofpaynesprairie.wildapricot.org/event-6838086

RSVP required. Limited spots available.

We can't wait to see you on the prairie!