It’s a big contrast to the more popular side of Rice Creek Conservation Area, where the Florida Trail crosses a lengthy boardwalk and multiple bridges in the Rice Creek Swamp.
On the west side of the swamp, the Nine-Mile Tract showcases restoration sandhill and baygall communities.
This separate tract encompasses the edge of an upland ridge on the Penny Farms Formation.
Sloped terrainThe trail system consists of a 0.9 mile red-blazed loop, connected to a 1.2 mile yellow-blazed linear route.
The shorter trail explores successional hardwood forests and planted pines, passing a picnic spot along the way.
Branching off near the halfway point of the red loop, yellow blazes lead northward, following a surprisingly stark transition zone between wet and dry habitats.
Sandhill habitatResources
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Overview
Location: Palatka
Length: 3.5 miles
Trailhead: 29.626972, -81.794194
Address: 594 SR 20, Palatka
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: St. Johns River Water Management District
Phone: 386-329-4404
Open 24 hours.
Directions
From the junction of SR 20 and SR 19 in Palatka, head west on SR 20 for 7.3 miles and look for the trailhead on the right side of the road.
Hike
Starting at the northeast corner of the parking area, follow a sandy pathway past the map kiosk and into a mixed forest of pines, turkey oaks, and cabbage palms.
Reaching a fork in the trail at 0.2 miles, turn left to begin a clockwise trek around the loop.
Trailhead kioskIn a short distance, red markers indicate a sharp turn where the trail crosses an open forest floor covered in deer moss.
The pathway climbs a gentle slope while curving to the right, reaching an access road lined with rowed pines at 0.4 miles.
Deer moss amid leaf litterTo the left, a picnic bench sits near the edge of a sandhill lake, overlooking an open, grassy expanse.
The trail turns eastward in a tenth of a mile, following a corridor flanked by planted slash pine as it begins to descend contoured terrain.
Prairie overlookReaching a junction at 0.7 miles, turn onto the Yellow Trail, crossing under high tension powerlines before winding northward again.
Yellow blazes lead the way northward, flanked by pines to the left, and a dense mix of hardwoods to the right.
Trail junctionThe wide, graded pathway continues in a mostly straight line for 0.8 miles before reaching a small oblong loop near the northern boundary.
From this point, follow yellow trail markers back to the trail junction, and turn left to complete the red loop.
Sandhill ridgeOne more dip to the east is followed by a steep ascent topped with soft sugar sand.
As the soil becomes more xeric, post and turkey oaks dot the landscape once again, showing a bit of fall color in early winter.
At the end of the loop, take a left to follow the approach trail for another tenth of a mile before reaching the trailhead.
Oaks displaying fall colorsTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking the Nine Mile Tract at Rice Creek Conservation Area
Nearby Adventures
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.
Carl Duval Moore South Tract Follow a wide doubletrack trail across sandhill and flatwood communities to a picnic area and dock alongside a quiet rural lake. 
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.
- Calusa Heritage Trail - November 5, 2026
- Scherer Thaxton Preserve - October 21, 2026
- Little Awesome Preserve - October 19, 2026