Located northwest of Gainesville, Florida, Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is truly a unique natural wonder. Unlike other parks in the Sunshine State, Devil’s Millhopper serves as a time capsule to Florida’s geological past. This park consists of an ancient 500-foot wide and 120-foot deep sinkhole that is home to a rainforest-like environment which supports diverse plant and animal life rarely found elsewhere in Florida. We have visited this park multiple times and love the lush, tropical atmosphere. Read on to discover why this geologically distinctive place deserves a visit if you are in the Gainesville area!
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DEVIL'S MILLHOPPER GEOLOGICAL STATE PARK: HISTORY AND LEGENDS
We first learned about Devil’s Millhopper when reading Weird Florida, a fantastic book that documents Florida’s “strange” history, such as legends, mysteries, and ghosts. According to this travel guide, legends surrounding the giant cavity at the center of Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park date back to the 1800’s. The name “Devil’s Millhopper” comes from the fact that pioneers in the area thought the sinkhole looked like a hopper on a gristmill and, due to the discovery of prehistoric bones at the bottom, believed that the vast crater was actually a hopper that fed unfortunate souls to the devil. One strange tale asserts that the devil wanted to marry a Native American princess and swallowed her through the hole. Another legend from the late 1800’s recounts a pioneer family witnessing the hole open up and consume an entire acre of trees.
The reality of this geological phenomenon is much more scientific. The colossal cavity is actually a sinkhole that first formed about ten thousand years ago. Sinkholes are not uncommon in Florida, but Devil’s Millhopper is unique in that over 100 feet of rock layers are exposed inside. The layers progress in age as they go deeper. Scientists have discovered limestone that dates back to 34 million years ago at the bottom of the sinkhole, as well as fossilized shark teeth and marine animals along the walls and in the creeks that flow down into it.
Today, Devil’s Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark distinctive for its lush, miniature rainforest ecosystem that is unparalleled elsewhere in the state.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
The entry fee for Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is $4/vehicle and is payable online via the honor system. The parking lot is located near the entrance. Restrooms are next to the parking lot, along with educational exhibits providing information about how the sinkhole formed.
From the parking area, you can descend the boardwalk to the bottom of the sinkhole. The wooden staircase is 236 steps leading from the rim of the sinkhole to a viewing platform at the bottom. It is quite the workout but worth it to view the dense green forest of ferns and trickling waterfalls inside the ravine.
At the top, a half-mile nature trail winds through an upland pine forest around the lip of the crater. The trail is quiet and shaded, and here you can appreciate the pleasant sound of the flowing streams and view a variety of wildlife, from raccoons and rabbits to birds such as red-bellied woodpeckers.
Rangers give guided walks every Saturday at 10am for those interested in learning more about the history and geology of the park. Picnic tables are also available if you’d like to rest and enjoy a meal in the peaceful surroundings.
TIPS FOR VISITING
We have hiked at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park three times, and from those experiences we have learned that the time of year really matters when it comes to enjoying the full beauty of the miniature rainforest inside of the sinkhole. I would not recommend visiting during the winter as most of the trees are bare. One benefit of this is the lack of greenery allows you to see the size of the sinkhole much better and appreciate the sheer width and depth of the cavity. However, you really can’t appreciate just how lush and tropical the ecosystem normally is during the winter when the trees have dropped their leaves.
If you plan on visiting, we highly recommend bringing water, closed-toed walking shoes, and bug spray, as well as a camera if you want to capture the natural beauty of the park. Please remember to stay on the trails and not interfere with the wildlife in order to help protect the ecosystem.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
If you want to explore more of natural Florida, there are plenty of options near Gainesville. You can hike Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, which is the only place in Florida where you can see bison and horses in the wild. You can swim or tube down the river at Ichetucknee Springs State Park or wander through beautiful landscaped plant collections at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. A little further to the south, you can snorkel in a prehistoric spring at Devil’s Den Spring.
For Florida history and culture, consider a visit to Florida Museum of Natural History or Harn Museum of Art, both free and located on the University of Florida campus.
Gainesville also provides plenty of hotel options if you want to stay overnight. Drury Inn and Suites, Springhill Suites, and Fairfield Inn and Suites are all great options. We stayed at Residence Inn because we really like the budget-friendly option of having a kitchen so we do not have to eat out for every meal.
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a true hidden gem that is unique from other parks. Its fascinating geological history and stunning rainforest ecosystem provide a one-of-kind experience, and we hope you are able to add this park to your Florida bucket list!
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Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
