Exploring Florida can take on many twists and turns, ups and downs. For visitors to Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainesville, that exploration literally takes you down to a sinkhole that has attracted curious individuals since the late 1800s.
What is Devil’s Millhopper?
Devil’s Millhopper, 120 feet deep and about 500 feet across, formed when the limestone underneath it collapsed. More than 100 feet of geologic rock layers make it unique as it is one of the few places in Florida where they are exposed. The further down you go into the sinkhole, the older the rocks. Established as a state park in 1974, it was also named a National Natural Landmark in 1976.
Devil’s Millhopper | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
How Did Devil’s Millhopper Get its Name?
As is the case with other Florida locations, there are several tales told to explain how Devil’s Millhopper got its name. One says the devil kidnapped a Native American princess and created the sinkhole to trap her rescuers. The other claims early visitors, who found bones and fossils at the bottom, believed animals and beasts went there to meet the devil. In reality, it was named because of its shape – a funnel-like shape similar to one you find at the bottom of a grain hopper on a farm.
Visitor’s Center
You can learn more about the Millhopper inside the Visitor’s Center at the entrance to the park. Make sure to stop, pick up a brochure about the sink, or ask the park ranger on duty any questions you might have. Interactive exhibits inside provide more information about how it formed and what has been found at the bottom.
Visitor Center at Devil’s Millhopper | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
The Walk Down
Even though I lived in Gainesville about 30 years ago, I never made it to Devil’s Millhopper. Now I know what I was missing. A walk to the bottom takes you away from the noise of the city into a peaceful rainforest-like setting that offers picturesque views of ferns and other vegetation, along with small waterfalls and streams. On the day of our visit, those views included bright turquoise water and turtles sitting on old tree branches that had fallen into the water. The water level in the sink is dependent on the amount of rainfall.
Sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
Turtle on log at Devil’s Millhopper | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
At one time there were 232 stairs you would have to walk down to get to the sinkhole, but Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused extensive damage and the stairs had to be rebuilt. Now there are 132 steps and they are relatively easy to manage. Just remember, going back up is still a little tougher than going down.
Boardwalk leading to the sinkhole | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
Hiking the Trail
Besides the stairs down to the sinkhole, there’s a hiking trail that takes you along the rim. Before Hurricane Irma, the trail was a complete loop around the top of the sink, taking you over a bridge that crosses a gully flowing into the sink. Due to safety concerns, the bridge is currently closed, and your hike will have to be modified. As you walk the trail, make sure to look all around you. There are some amazing sites to be seen if you take the time.
Along the trail at Devil’s Millhopper | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine
Visiting Basics
Devil’s Millhopper is part of the Florida State Parks System and is located off County Road 232 in northwest Gainesville. Before Hurricane Irma, 60,000 people visited the park per year. Without the steps down to the sink, that number decreased, but park officials are expecting it to go back up now that the new boardwalk is open.
The park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 Wednesday through Sunday and is closed Monday and Tuesday. A $4.00 per vehicle fee is collected at a cash box at the entrance to the parking lot. Of course, if you have an annual pass to the State Parks, you can write in your pass number on the envelope and the hang tag for your car and forego the charge.
Pack a lunch and a bottle or two of water, take your camera, and wear closed-toe shoes. It’s definitely a trip worth taking.
Interesting Fact: Construction on the new boardwalk had to be delayed a year because funds were diverted to parks devastated by Hurricane Michael (2018) in the Panhandle. Those funds were reallocated for Devil’s Millhopper in 2019 with construction beginning in January and finishing in June.
Other Things to Do Nearby
If you are looking for other things to do while in Gainesville, here are a few of our favorites:
Dudley Farm Historic State Park – Located in Newberry, this farm portrays life on a farm in the mid-to-late 1800s.
UF Bat Houses – Join others along Museum Road on the University of Florida campus for the nightly exodus of 400,000 bats. The show starts about 15 to 20 minutes after sundown.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park – The park is a man-made habitat located on the north end of Paynes Prairie on Williston Road in Gainesville. There are more than three and a half miles of easy trails on 125 acres, with amazing views of plants, animals, and more than 215 species of birds. If you are lucky, you may get a chance to see the wild horses or the bison roaming the prairie.
