Among the rustic neighborhoods of Interlachen, Carl Duval Moore State Forest protects a little over 330 acres divided into two separate units, Up and Down Lake, and the South Tract.
Although this is one of the state’s smaller state forests, each parcel offers a scenic nature trail with amenities.
South Tract hosts a simpler trail than Up and Down Lake, utilizing a forest road to showcase healthy sandhill habitats on an out-and-back linear route to Hardesty Lake.
Diamond markers blaze the trailResources
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Overview
Location: Interlachen
Length: 1.5 miles
Trailhead: 29.612056, -81.848861
Address: Clouds Ave, Interlachen
Fees: $2 per person
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 386-329-2552
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From the intersection of SR 20 and SR 19 west of Palatka, head west on SR 20 for 10.3 miles before turning left onto Twin Lakes Rd. In 0.2 mile make a left at Old Gainesville Why, and then an immediate right onto Old Woods Rd. In 0.3 mile, turn left onto Rodeo Dr, and make a right at Clouds Ave in 0.6 mile. In a quarter mile, a small parking area will be on the left side of the road.
Hike
From a detailed map kiosk alongside a shaded, leaf-strewn pathway, follow diamond-shaped trail markers as they lead into a mix of pine, oak, and maple.
The trail takes a quick turn to the left in a hundred feet, entering a forest of planted pines.
Trailhead kioskThe path turns south in a tenth of a mile, joining a forest road as it navigates oddly straight rows of slash pine.
Despite the agricultural nature of this section, native beautyberry, pawpaw, and goldenrod flourish in abundant sunlight alongside the trail.
Planted pinesAt 0.2 miles, the landscape begins to take on a more natural look while entering a sandhill community that has undergone restoration efforts.
Sand live oaks send gnarled branches over a grassy corridor bordered by dogfennel, saw palmettos, and asters sporting small yellow flowers.
Sandhill habitatCrossing over Alligator Creek, the sandhill ecosystem becomes more well defined as turkey oaks become a prominent feature.
They rise from yellow-tinted soil covered with clusters of wiregrass and gopher apple.
The green diamond trail markers veer off the road at 0.7 mile, following a narrow pathway through a stand of sand pines.
Sand pinesIn another tenth of a mile, the trail opens to a lakeside clearing with an inviting picnic table.
Nearby, a short dock stretches out past thick lakeside vegetation, offering views of the water and a pair of benches to rest at this peaceful spot.
From this point, retrace your steps northward for 0.8 mile back to the trailhead.
Lakeside dockTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Carl Duval Moore State Forest
Carl Duval Moore State Forest At Carl Duval Moore State Forest, hike to Up & Down Lake, which sporadically vanishes, on a beautiful loop through sandhills and oak hammocks west of Palatka.Video
Hiking Carl Duval Moore South Tract
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Buckman Lock to SR 20 7.4 miles. Crisscrossing former timberlands and blackwater cypress swamps, the Florida Trail north of Buckman Lock highlights conservation efforts taken on land previously used for agriculture. 
Florida Trail, Rice Creek Home of ancient cypress trees and the remains of a 1700s rice plantation, Rice Creek Conservation Area has a fascinating loop trail along the statewide Florida Trail.
Palatka-Lake Butler Trail With a corridor spanning nearly 50 miles through North Florida, the Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail provides paved trail for riders and an unpaved corridor used by the Florida Trail
Etoniah Creek Lake Blossom Trail Rare endangered Etoniah rosemary bushes grow atop sandy ridges that descend to this 0.7 mile loop around a deep prairie pond. 
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