Paynes Prairie State Park Perserve Florida Review

Thank you to everyone who has viewed my write-up. Time to do my next park.

trnfla wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

I don't think so. The rudeness began at check in, before we even had a chance to break any rules if we wanted to.

Besides, as mentioned in my previous post, we are experienced campground hosts with the Florida State Park system for over 5 years. We know the rules.

I am one of those hosts that get upset when dog owners don't pick up, because if they don't, I have to.

I know that you aren't the ones causing the problem, what I was trying to say is I wonder if they saw your dog as you where checking in and that's why they read you the riot act.

The thing is 90% of the dog owners seem to follow the rules, it's the other 10% that seem to stand out so much that people lump all dog campers together. It sucks...

That could be who knows? If it is, it certainly is "profiling" and unprofessional.

I think that part of it is the park is close to a major urban area. (Tampa/St. Pete) as a result they get more than their share of people that are not regular campers and would not read the rules.

I know personally of one ranger that transferred away from there because of the negative environment.

No matter the cause, I don't need their B.S. and will not pay to endure it. There are too many other Florida State Parks with great rangers.

Payne's Prairie is a great winter location with a rich cultural history. The mosquitos make it uninhabitable 9-10 months out of the year.

Dog Folks wrote:

I don't think so. The rudeness began at check in, before we even had a chance to break any rules if we wanted to.

Besides, as mentioned in my previous post, we are experienced campground hosts with the Florida State Park system for over 5 years. We know the rules.

I am one of those hosts that get upset when dog owners don't pick up, because if they don't, I have to.

I know that you aren't the ones causing the problem, what I was trying to say is I wonder if they saw your dog as you where checking in and that's why they read you the riot act.

The thing is 90% of the dog owners seem to follow the rules, it's the other 10% that seem to stand out so much that people lump all dog campers together. It sucks...

agesilaus wrote:

trnfla wrote:
Agesiliaus, I have lived in Tampa for over 30 years and have been on the Hillsborough river many times so that I know what I what I am speaking about with the gators in that part of the river. Yes, they might not attack, but I would not be willing to take the risk.

In that case I'll add them to the Myakka Lake list....heh.

BK

Add Lee County, Charlotte County and Collier County is south Florida. There have lots of gators attacks in the past few years.

trnfla wrote:
Agesiliaus, I have lived in Tampa for over 30 years and have been on the Hillsborough river many times so that I know what I what I am speaking about with the gators in that part of the river. Yes, they might not attack, but I would not be willing to take the risk.

In that case I'll add them to the Myakka Lake list....heh.

BK

trnfla wrote:
Thanks for the reviews.

I had a great experiance with the Rangers and Park Hosts during my visit at Paynes Prairie. Additionally, we have never had a bad eiperance at Hillsborough River SP, I would caution swimming in the river due to the number of large gators that are in the area.

Dog Folks, not a put down, but I wonder if it had to due to the fact you had dogs? I have seen Rangers and Hosts get upset with people who did not follow the dog rules.

I don't think so. The rudeness began at check in, before we even had a chance to break any rules if we wanted to.

Besides, as mentioned in my previous post, we are experienced campground hosts with the Florida State Park system for over 5 years. We know the rules.

I am one of those hosts that get upset when dog owners don't pick up, because if they don't, I have to.

Agesiliaus, I have lived in Tampa for over 30 years and have been on the Hillsborough river many times so that I know what I what I am speaking about with the gators in that part of the river. Yes, they might not attack, but I would not be willing to take the risk.

If you swim in Florida fresh water then you are swimming with gators. Unless you are in a swimming pool. I will say that there are some places further south in Florida that I would not swim at: Myakka SP lake for one and the Corkscrew Swamp/Everglades for another. The gators at Shark Valley are dangerous and the ones in Myakka have lost all fear of men are are very numerous as well.

But other than those locations gator attacks are rarer than lightning striking someone.

BK

Thanks for the reviews.

I had a great experiance with the Rangers and Park Hosts during my visit at Paynes Prairie. Additionally, we have never had a bad eiperance at Hillsborough River SP, I would caution swimming in the river due to the number of large gators that are in the area.

Dog Folks, not a put down, but I wonder if it had to due to the fact you had dogs? I have seen Rangers and Hosts get upset with people who did not follow the dog rules.