Interlachen — a town of many lakes and abundant recreation
Interlachen is a lake-dotted community between Gainesville and Palatka. The area's numerous lakes attracted waves of resortgoers in the winter during the 1800s and continue to be a driving factor for homebuyers today. “Interlachen means 'between the lakes.' I read that there are more than 32 lakes within the town limits,” says Brenda Bond, a real estate agent with Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage, who has been in the business for 22 years. “Some are like ponds, and some are big enough for skiing or fishing. The recreation opportunities are big […] It’s a great location for a second homeowner or a weekender.”
Mobile, manufactured, ranch-style homes and vacant lots in Interlachen
Most of Interlachen’s residential streets are sandy, dirt roads surrounded by dense greenery. Additionally, Bond notes that most of the area’s lakes are restricted to waterfront homeowners. Cottages and ranch-style homes built as early as the 1950s through the 2010s come on lots that range over 6 acres. Some are waterfront properties, with docks that extend to one of the many lakes in the area. Detached single-family homes in the area range from $50,000 to $440,000.
Manufactured homes are prevalent in the area as well. Manufactured and mobile homes built from the 1960s to as recently as 2025 go from $25,000 to $375,000, depending on condition and acreage. The majority of Interlachen’s housing market consists of vacant lots. The area may be at an increased risk of wildfires.
Community parks, and trails that carve through surrounding nature
Community parks are scattered throughout Interlachen, and natural space surrounds the area. The West Putnam Recreational Complex includes softball fields, a basketball court, a bandshell and a skatepark. A playground stands on a sand patch in Lake LaGonda Park, which also offers fishing access and a dock; popular catches include largemouth bass, bluegill and black bullhead.
Wild persimmon, winged sumac and prickly cactus grow in Carl Duval Moore State Forest and Park, where bald eagles, otters and turkeys can be sighted. More than a mile of trails weave through the natural area, some offering views of Up and Down Lake. The Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail follows the old Norfolk-Southern Railroad tracks for almost 50 miles, traveling beside a stretch of Florida state Route 100 just north of Interlachen.
Highway connection to Palatka, Gainesville, and a county road to Ocala
Florida state Route 20 connects the community to Palatka — less than 20 miles east — and Gainesville, home to the University of Florida. Gainesville is between 30 and 40 miles west, and the nearby Gainesville Regional Airport offers direct flights to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and cities across the Southeast. County Road 315 goes south toward Ocala, which is roughly 50 miles away; in the north, it intersects with Florida state Route 100.
One grocer and a few restaurants in town, with more options east
Shopping and dining are sparse in Interlachen. “There’s a grocery store, an Ace Hardware and a few restaurants,” Bond says. “It’s a small town. It’s got two red lights.” While many residents travel east to Palatka for grocery stores and restaurants, Interlachen has a few options in town. John Wayne is the star of True Grits, a diner with crispy appetizers, an extensive breakfast menu and dishes that come smothered in gravy. Nanna’s Country Cafe also serves homestyle meals — like meatloaf, chili and shepherd’s pie — in a laid-back setting. Hitchcock’s Market is the community’s sole grocery store, while national chains can be found in Palatka.
Athletics and extracurriculars at Interlachen Jr. and Sr. High School
Children may begin their education with grades PK-6 at Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Elementary School, which receives a C rating from Niche. They may then move forward to Interlachen Jr.-Sr. High School, which scores a B-minus. The school offers extracurricular activities like High-Q, a quick response competition, Interact, which focuses on community service and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT); its Junior ROTC program was invited to the 2025 JROTC Robotics National Championship at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas. School sports include varsity and junior varsity basketball, soccer, wrestling and girls’ weightlifting.
