While waiting for our dog at UF small animal hospital, we decided to spend some time touring around and we happen to cross Millhopper State Park. And we noticed that there was a sink hole that promised a beautiful view. It was a long way down in a long way up, but the scenery. The view was very beautiful, clean fresh air, and it seemed to be a very popular place. If you haven't been here I would highly recommend you give it a look. It's very well worth a walk and the exercise and fresh air is good for you. The only thing that kind of bothered me was the honor system for people to go down and visit the sinkhole. It's only two dollars per person or four dollars a car load. People were not donating or picking up after their dogs. The park is beautiful but I bet it would be stunning during spring. read more

Such a great attraction and landmark to visit! You really feel one with nature and history standing at the bottom of this sinkhole! Low cost and safe! There are a lot of stairs so unfortunately not accessible for those who cannot climb up and down stairs but the nature park is still pretty! read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Beautiful park to take a walk and spend the afternoon! Let the sight of the Sink Hole sink in as you descend the stairs to view it! Parking is super easy and they also have picnic tables, benches and clean bathrooms. There are also some walking trails and you can bring your furry friends along for the fun! This park is also very close to many restaurants for you to enjoy after your visit! read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

This park is serene, unique and beautiful! Plus, you get to walk down in to the sinkhole that's like stepping back in time 20M years! Fossils found at the bottom are really that old! I thoroughly enjoyed my hike and am super glad I'm in good condition. It was gratifying to see how easy it was. There was a 90 year old woman there who cranks it out multiple times a day! Impressive! Everyone there was friendly and in a good mood. Plus, there are signs to teach the history, flora and fauna. Please do not forget to pay the $4 voluntary fee at the drop box. Life is great with a very unique park! read more

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This small park offers a view of a sinkhole and it's unique microclimate as well as a flat, shaded 1 mile trail that is supposed to be a loop. When I went, a bridge on the trail was under construction, so I couldn't do a full loop and had to walk back the way I came. I saw lots of birds (tanagers, woodpeckers) on the trail which took about 45 minutes to walk. The sinkhole is accessed through a short flight of stairs, but there isn't any kind of majestic view at the bottom, but the temperature was noticeably cooler. There were some people just going up and down the stairs for exercise. Overall, it's a decent park especially if you enjoy bird watching, want some aerobic exercise in fresh air, or are just looking for a cool shaded, meditative escape into nature away from the city. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

My husband, son, and I visited the geological park this weekend, and we had a great time. When you enter the park, they have a small ecosystem with different flora and a small water feature. The park has a beautiful canopy that provides shade from the sun, which is always nice in Florida. When you enter the park, you start walking down a paved path and can either go left to walk down stairs to the sinkhole or right to walk the nature trail. The paths loop around, so either way you walk, you can enjoy the whole park. The stairs reminded me of the climb down to Amicalola Falls in Georgia, but instead of it ending in a waterfall, you hear the stream trickling down to the sinkhole. There is also a bridge that crosses over the stream when you walk down the nature trail. We enjoyed our time there and would definitely visit again. Rating from F to A+++, we give it an A+++! read more

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Gorgeous place for a short hike and to explore I recommend this place for scenic walks and trails. The place has a huge sink hole that is pretty amazing Definitely recommend read more

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It's a good, solid walk to get to the site of Devil's Millhopper.  After looking at some photos, my expectations were pretty high, but I must confess that after we went here I was more than a little disappointed. Tip: You have to hike down a fairly lengthy flight of wooden steps to see the actual sinkhole. When we actually came into sight of the sinkhole, we concluded that it's not a whole lot more than mosquito trap with some mud and vegetation within.  That said, there's some information posted here detailing some information about how the sinkhole came into being; it's mildly interesting. Bottom line: I wouldn't return, and unless you're literally already here it's probably not with making a special trip for a visit. read more

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Very dog friendly. Lots of stairs to access the bottom. It was so beautiful. Would never realize you are in the middle of a city read more

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This is a great place to visit. It is a geological landmark where you'll find a bowl shaped cavity 120 feet deep. There is a nice stairwell of 120 steps that takes you to the bottom. You are not able to actually get out into the rainforest at the bottom but it is very nice. Small park but a good loop trail. I was a bit surprised there was no staff on duty. The visitor center has loads of information available even if there is no staff. Clean restrooms and lots of picnic tables. read more

Beautiful park if the steps were open to see more of the sinkhole. Because of covid it is closed off and you can only do a small trail. As you enter the park you there is a small box that you can pay to get in at your own discretion to pay. Once parked you walk up to this building that is closed but has some information on the site. We went for a brief walk up to were the steps were but saw that it was roped off. You could go on the trail but I felt the mosquitoes eating me alive and so we left. Hope to back another time when covid is over. Why is this place called Devils mill hopper. Its called mill hopper because of the holes shape, which is the same funnel-like shape you would find at the bottom of a grain , through, since the bottom of the hole was filled with dead animals, it was dubbed the bailiwick of the devil read more

This was a decent length walk and hike down the wooden steps to the see sinkhole. I honestly expected a lot more based on pictures, which clearly were taken years ago. Now this massive sinkhole is nothing but a mud pit mosquito hive. The history and information of how the sinkhole formed long, long ago was interesting. It's a good cardio workout for $4 a vehicle but overall nothing I'd ever feel the need to do again. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Nothing more than a mud pit. - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

A lot has changed over the years but still a great adventure! My family enjoys visiting here and nearby trails.

I found this famous Sink Hole based on a recommendation from a friend who once lived here in Gainesville. The park was easy to find and cost just $4 per car to park your vehicle. I visited the attraction on a Saturday morning just after it opened up at 9am. There are signs leading you to the pathway to the stairs that lead you to the observation platform. Be prepared to get your Fitbit steps in! As I stood on the platform I honestly felt a spiritual experience while admiring this ecological wonder. Afterward you can walk the trail around the perimeter of the sink hole which is approximately 0.6 miles. The bridge is currently closed however so you can only walk out and back and not loop it. read more

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This is one of my favorite nature spots in the Gainesville area and I've been coming here to hike and enjoy since my college days 30 years ago. It is one the largest sinkhole in the area if not Florida and a must see if you're ever in the area. Donation of a few dollars is appreciated. There's a massive staircase that takes you to the bottom of the hole and I recommend wearing comfortable shoes to climb down. Just wait until you have to climb back up as this can even be challenging for the more inclined. Bring some bottled water with you and breathe! Great place to exercise among nature and away from city noise and traffic. The natural waterfalls (during season) and landscape is definitely something to appreciate and visit often. read more

Devil's Millhopper has been on my Florida Bucket List for as long as I can remember. I just haven't been able to find a day to head out there. Luckily, my older niece was home for spring break and she wanted to go on an adventure to a "cool state park." Aunt Mandie put the plan into motion, and so we went! For those who are unaware, Devil's Millhopper is a giant sinkhole. When you are at the bottom, all you hear is all the water trickling down from the layers of soil above. This water descends to a pool at the bottom, which will return it to Florida's, overall, natural water supply. This phenomenon occurs as the layers of limestone and clay restrict the water from going back to the surface, and forces it downward. You're witnessing science, and the water table, at its very core. It's pretty epic. On top of that, you can see the visible geological history in the layers of the Earth and fossils, including shark teeth and fossilized animal remains, have been found within the sinkhole. There's a nature trail around the entirety of the sinkhole, and then stairs to the bottom. It's a $4 entry fee at the start of the parking area that is CASH ONLY. I stopped at the ATM prior to getting there and realized that there wasn't anyone to give me change, as you put the cash into the envelope and then into the box for collection at the end of the day. No big deal. Our National Parks received a nice donation. I brought my 11 y/o retriever mix along for the trip, and he was having a bit of trouble going back up the stairs (236 in total). Just a heads up to those fellow owners of senior dogs. You will be in close proximity of folks going down the stairs to the bottom and back up, so if you have a dog who isn't the biggest fan of people or other dogs, this wouldn't be the place to bring them along. If you are planning a trip to Gainesville, a stop by Devil's Millhopper is definitely worth your while. Couple it in with a few other activities throughout the day and you'll have a great day traversing about. read more

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On my way down to Gainesville I wanted to stop here before checking into my hotel if they were going to be open late enough. The time on Google showed 5 pm but I know State parks in Georgia often put the time the park offices close on Google but the parks themselves are open till sunset or later. I called to ask and I was told they had recently changed their hours to sunset but none of the websites had been updated yet. I was also told the office still closes at 4:30 pm. Arrived before the office closed, parking is $4 but can only be paid in cash in the box or on the website. You cannot pay at the office and they also do not have a gift shop. I was told they previously had one but the park needed to purchase a new Point of Sale system before they could sell items again. I paid for parking on the website but thought it was odd that there was not a place to put my license plate during checkout. I guess if you get a ticket you show them the emailed pass later? After talking with the girl in the office for a while about other parks in the area and parks in Georgia I headed down to the stairs to check out the sinkhole. Spent some time there before going up to do the loop trail. Bring bug spray! I didn't even think about mosquitoes. I don't know what breed of those things they have here but the bites were not visible until a couple of days later and even though I didn't scratch them they left scars. As others have posted the loop is partially closed so I went as far as I could and then backtracked. On the way back around there was a heavy stench of weed in the air. A guy with a beautiful white and brown Husky arrived after the employees left and was just smoking weed down in the sinkhole like it was nothing. Felt bad for the dog that had to deal with that. read more

If you love nature then this is the place. Each visit for me is different. Best time is after a good rain. Everything comes to life.

The idea of a sinkhole opening up and consuming your home is one of the biggest fears of Floridians aside from hurricanes. Being a native Floridian, I never thought I would get so close to this geologic phenomena in a safe setting. A friend of mine suggested it as something to do on a day trip to Gainesville. What a neat surprise! Upon arriving at the site, you're expected to pay a $4 entry fee (honor system) per car. There are also some picnic tables towards the front of the park for those who decide to bring some food to enjoy before or after the site. The path leading up to the sinkhole contains a welcome center (a small hut) with a park ranger and excellent visitor information. There are also restrooms there as well. We didn't see water fountains, but we weren't really looking hard and if you were really desperate there was running water in the bathroom faucets. After departing the welcome center, visitors take a short jaunt to the actual sinkhole site. The boardwalk that extends all the way to the bottom of the site not only lends itself to ease of access to visitors, but apparently it helps with erosion on the site as well. The hike down and back up was pretty easy, but it depends on your level of fitness and the weather. There are informational signs at various points along the boardwalk about the history, plants, and even how the "Devil's Millhopper" got its name. There is a quiet serenity to the sinkhole once reaching the bottom as your ears are filled with sounds of running water. One of the other reviews says that the site has "waterfalls" but it depends on what your definition of waterfall is. If you mean a small stream of water running down some rocks, then you've come to the right place. After the hike back up, we took the nature trail. It was not even a mile around and a peaceful trail. The whole experience (visitor center, sinkhole, and nature trail) took about an hour and it was well worth the price. I would definitely recommend this site to visitors of Gainesville! read more

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The stairs may be closed but the loop around the top is the prefect short, shady hike for my kiddos. On Sunday's they have a Junior Ranger program for kids, which was a great primer for our hike to get my little guy interested and on the look out for wildlife, tracks, and plants. At $4 a carload, it's a great way to escape the sun and get some fresh air. Hikes like this are short enough that we don't get exhausted and still inspire some pretty great conversations and connection. read more

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One of my favorite spots in Gainesville. 4 stars because the trail/stairs to the bottom of the sink was CLOSED!!!! We still had a nice cool walk around the perimeter. The temperature drops rapidly when you descend into the sink and the perimeter is heavily forested so it was cool on an 80 degree day. This is a truly unique treasure in our state and I hope that the erosion issues the park has experienced can be ecologically fixed and maintained to preserve the natural and historical features here. read more

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Nice park for anyone to get a nice walk in or walk down the stairwell to see the sink hole. Both the walking path and the sink are things that most people can do. It's a nice walk on a warm day too between the waterfalls and sinkhole and the oak trees shade the weather feels great even on a hot humid day. So if you not a fan of walking in the hot sun this is a great spot to get your exercise in while soaking in some nature. read more

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An official Florida landmark, the Devil's Millhopper State is located just off the highway near Gainesville. Lush foliage, a small trail, and a giant sinkhole in the middle, it makes a lovely stop to enjoy the nature and to get some fresh air. Unfortunately in the time of Covid, the stairs to go down to the sinkhole are closed, so there is not too much to do except for walk the trail, or sit on a bench in the shade with a book. The path through the trees is quite nice, although because it is fairly short it can be completed quickly. While this may be a sight worth checking out if you want to stretch your legs, I'm not sure I would go out of my way to stop. As a side note, there is a small suggested donation enter, but payment is on the honor system, so be sure to have cash. read more

Visiting Gainesville for UF - came to this site because the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens was closed today (you'd think they'd be closed on either a Sunday or Monday)...our bad luck that the garden is closed on a Thursday. I did pay the $4/car because I truly believe that money used to take care of open/natural spaces should be encouraged. No one is at the kiosk (check in desk) to take your money - there's a QR code to scan to. For a hiker like me this was "lightweight". The stairs to the sinkhole is opened. You don't go alll they way down. When you reach the bottom of the stairs - you're literally looking at a pool of muddy water and some streams feeding into this. The walk down was the ez part - the walk up - good cardio workout - do this a couple of times and you're good to go for the rest of the day. I spent a total of 10 minutes - didn't have a lot of time to walk the trail - but will do this when I come back. read more

Nice park, underwhelmed by the sinkhole, expected more from the website's description. Nice enough park I guess. Probably won't be back.

The sinkhole at Devil's Millhopper is definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen! The stairs lead you down to a giant ~puddle~ of different tones of blue. The sounds of mini "waterfalls" pattering around you is so peaceful and surreal... it makes you feel like you're in a disney movie. The trail itself is pretty short, and the the bridge that connects the loop is under repair so you have to turn around halfway or just stay at the sinkhole. Despite how short it is, it's absolutely beautiful and I appreciate the numerous benches along the way of the trail. read more

The park is small but it has a big surprise. There is a walking trail that goes around the sinkhole that is well cared for. It's about a half mile walk all the way around it. I can't remember how many steps to get to the bottom of the sink but it's quite a ways down. The sink is a very unique and very interesting. The park rangers here are always keen to answer any questions. There are guided tours on Saturday mornings. This is a great place to go if you need to get out of the house and go stretch your legs. read more

We had a great time here! My husband and I took out 4 teenagers and our dog. The bridge is still closed so the full loop is not open but the loop is pretty short so we enjoyed walking back. The sink hole is really something to see though! So many mini waterfalls- depending on where you stand it sounds like a rain storm or waves on the beach. Loved the educational material before you go in- quick and simple to give some basic knowledge so you can really appreciate what you see. Quite a few families brought their well behaved dogs. We will be back. read more

Hiked around Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site on Saturday morning. Quality Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site, is an official Florida landmark. In what otherwise looks like a small forest, a bowl-shaped hole in the ground houses a small tropical rain forest. This site has led to many discoveries within the layers of earth, and the site has provided information about different vegetation and animals living in Florida over time. The site has also spawned several myths and legends including one that explains the park's name. Quantity It is a very small park that has a trail spanning just over half a mile. There is also a large wooden staircase down into the sinkhole, but that was closed for repairs during my visit. With it shut down, a complete visit shouldn't take more than an hour. Value They have a deposit box as you enter the park asking for $4 per car. I personally think the park should be free until the boardwalk is complete, because the half mile trail is not worth the price. Ambiance Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site is found in Gainesville. It is not far from a small residential area and close to a giant cell tower. When you enter the site you are first met with a small ranger station. Here they have a small museum with some facts, fossils, and a movie that definitely could use an update. You then follow the path that leads to the main trail. At just over half a mile, the path follows close to a circular pattern around the steep slope in the center. It showcases the trees and unique plants and weaves across a small stream. Close to the entrance they have a small barrier as it is close to the drop. If you follow the trail to the left you will quickly come upon the staircase that leads down into the hole. It is currently under repair, so you cannot experience the unique topographical and geological aspects. It is a huge disappointment as the park is really built for that feature. Crowd Walking around the trail I saw around ten people. Most either had dogs or children, who could easily handle the short trail. There was also a large group meeting to do tai chi near the parking lot. Service It is a very small park, so I was disappointed to see as much trash on the trail as I did. It was a windy day, so some may have blown in from the nearby area, but it did not seem to have the level of maintenance that I would have expected. And I was obviously upset that the key component of the park was closed for repairs. Parking There is a large parking lot right inside the entrance of the park. Extra Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site was a bust. Until the staircase is fixed, I would not recommend a visit. The short, dirty path in the woods is nothing special on its own and not deserving of a visit without a trip into the sinkhole. read more

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My 100th review!! So as others have mentioned, it's not the most thrilling state park in the world... but it's pretty cool and worth a visit!! I've been a few times, and it never really gets old. The slopes of the sinkhole remind me of the mountains of North Carolina, where I grew up hiking and camping during the summers. If you ever get the chance, go in the summer when it is pouring rain!! It's so fun to see the water flow down and drain into the sinkhole, and makes the whole experience a lot more exciting! Going back up the stairs is quite a workout, so be prepared with a water bottle!! read more

We tried visiting today, March 12, 2021 and the stairs down to the sinkhole are still closed due to Covid. The park's trails are open but the stairs and visitor's center are closed. read more

This is a beautiful place to take a morning or afternoon hike. You don't feel like you're in Florida. But you are. But this part of Florida is a lush, cool, green, sinkhole with trails. I love you Gainesville, for reasons like this. Lots of stairs to climb to get to the sinkhole so charge up your fitbit. It's dog friendly, just make sure your dog doesn't mind lot of stairs - or else you will be carrying yours like I did. And bring cash - $3 to park. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - The reward at the end of the stairs - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Don't come here unless you want to pay to see trees. Couldn't see anything because they closed off most of the trail for construction. I feel so ripped off read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

The park built around the sinkhole is beautiful and well maintained. It only costs $4 per car to get in, which works out to essentially free if you have a couple few people. The price is $2 for a bike or pedestrian. There is an easy 0.6 mile hiking trail with labels on common trees as well as a small visitors center and the Main Event, a boardwalk into the sinkhole itself. Dogs are welcome. It all adds up to a fine, cheap half-day outing. If you are at all interested in seeing what a sinkhole looks like (that is, if you don't want to wait until the inevitable sinkhole apocalypse) I recommend it highly. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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This has quickly become one of my favorite places in Gainesville. I come here about once a week to recharge. There is a small trail loop that is just lovely to walk or run. The trees are huge, the plants vibrant and it is removed from the road. My absolute favorite part is the sinkhole. You can walk down the many flights of stairs down down down into the hole. Be sure to look at the gorgeous bright green ferns, and the many baby waterfalls trickling down the rocks. There are all sorts of moss and lichens from the saturated rocks and trees. At the bottom of the stairs you are level with the sinkhole, which depending on rainfall can get pretty full. My favorite thing to do next, is look up. Down in the hole you can look up and it feels like you have been transported from Florida, like you are in the mountains and the trees are soaring high above you. It is lovely. Side note: Many people use the stairs as a workout so they can be pretty busy! Also, the mosquitos can get rough, so I would advise going earlier in the day. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Blue skies! - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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If you're more into the natural awe of nature it's worth a look. The site itself is relatively small consisting of a display narrating the sink hole's creation. It's rather repetitive, but there's only so much you can relay visually besides touring the cenote yourself. There are two paths where one leads to the nature hike/trail and one to the sink hole. The trail itself isn't necessarily worthwhile unless you're using it for jogging or exercise. It's flat land that wraps around into a circle eventually leading to the crown hole in the ground that we curiously wish to see. Descend a couple hundred steps into almost a new landscape of trickling water, moss, stone and debri. The hole seemingly getting bigger as they re-route trails to accommodate. At the foot of the last staircase waits a small bridge hovering just above the water. There you sit in the maw of the cenote. A blue foggy soup of water and sunshine may be mistaken as mist below the trees. Come here for the atmosphere, the meditation, and awe. Other than that it's a terribly small site with lots of steps, give or take. If you'd prefer more interactive entertainment this might be a pass. It's $4 for parking on honor system with a small picnic area. Come early to have it all to yourself or just to enjoy the colors. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

There isn't anything like this in Florida, so what a pleasant shock to find such a nice sinkhole right here in Gainesville. It even has waterfalls! As far as Florida, inland state parks are concerned, this is at the top of the list. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Awesome stairwell takes you down the sink. - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Very short walk in the woods. This trail is about 0.6 miles and very well paved and marked. This is good for pretty much anyone. The trail is dirt and not paved so maybe not good if you have any physical challenges. Bottom line...good place for a short walk. Would be nice if you have a short time period that you just want to unwind. The sink hole is closed though so make your plans accordingly read more

Devil's Millhopper is a very interesting little park that gives you a firsthand look inside a sinkhole (which is also somewhat frightening!). In the parking lot and up top of the sinkhole, there are picnic tables, dog water area, benches, restrooms and an interpretive display of the area. Fair Warning: Going to the bottom of the sinkhole, there are a lot of boardwalk steps! However, you'll get to see the environment change from pine trees to a mini rainforest with waterfalls. Besides, think of the steps as healthy exercise with a nice view. Tips: 1.) Go after a good rain so there are waterfalls and water in the sinkhole. 2.) Pet Friendly (on leash) 3.) Bring Water (for pups too) 4.) Bug Spray (possibly) **Sinkhole is Not Wheelchair Accessible** read more

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2 stars as this place was closed due to Irma and they didn't put the sign upfront. The park said it was open normally until 5PM. We paid for the parking and let's say it was quite pointless. The parking payment is on a goodwill donation base. Just because we paid we circled around the hiking trail to justify it. Seems like a pretty cool place but again I never got to see the actual sinkhole . Hoping I get to see this one day. read more

Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site - Parks Near Me - Gainesville, Florida