Alachua Sink is part of Paynes Prairie, but it warrants a special visit and some caution. It is the best place in the area to observe alligators, which can be aggressive. In the spring and fall, scores of gators crawl on the banks and bask in the sun. There's nothing between you and these prehistoric-looking reptiles, so give them plenty of space and keep children and pets away from the water's edge. Check out the guest book at the start of La Chua Trail, which leads down to the sink. Visitors use it to record their wildlife sightings. Open Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm. On weekends, access the sink by parking at Boulware Springs Park at 3300 S.E. 15th St.; walk or bike 1.3 mi/2 km down the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail to the turnoff for La Chua Trail. Free. Parking is available near the North Rim Interpretive Center via Camp Ranch Road off Southeast 15th Street, Gainesville. Phone 352-955-2135. http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie.
