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The Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is a 64-acre Florida State Park located northwest of Gainesville, Florida. This state park's main attraction is a huge, 120 feet-deep and 500 feet wide, bowl-shaped, cover collapse sinkhole nestled in North Florida's sand terrain, pine forests, and lush vegetation. A half-mile trail around the sinkhole's rim and a 232-step stairway takes visitors to the sinkhole's bottom. Since the 1880s, this natural sinkhole wonder has attracted visitors curious to see it while exploring the rest of the Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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Brief History Of Devil's Millhopper's Sinkhole

Over the years, fossils of shark teeth, marine shells, and extinct land animals found at the sinkhole have helped researchers to learn about Florida's natural history. The name Devil’s Millhopper was inspired by the sinkhole's funnel shape since it looks like a grain mill hopper. Fossilized bones and teeth found at the sinkhole's bottom inspired a legend that the devil fed bodies there. In 1974, the site of the sinkhole became a state park, and stairs were built in 1976 to access it. This sinkhole is a travel destination in Florida worth visiting since it's a throwback to when civilization had not turned 'the sunshine state into a concrete jungle.

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The Experience Of Exploring The Sinkhole

While visiting Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, the ultimate experience is walking down the stairway toward the limestone sinkhole. There is rich and lush vegetation around the stairway present in the hot summer months and an environment that mimics that of a rainforest. That's because a thick tree canopy shades and cools the sinkhole area.

On the descent, visitors see waterfalls and slow-flowing creek streams that feed water to the sinkhole and disappear into ground crevices. On the sinkhole slopes, small wildlife, like squirrels, tortoises, lizards, gray tree frogs, golden-banded skipper butterflies, white-tailed deer, and birds like sight fox sparrows and wild turkeys are seen. A unique ecosystem has been created by the sinkhole's geology, climate, and plant life, and temperature change is felt while approaching the sinkhole.

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Be Florida Fit In The Jungle

Every first Saturday of the month from December to May, instructor Maggie Rucker hosts all-level yoga and fitness classes at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. Classes run from 10 am to 11 am and are done under a hardwood trees canopy amidst a refreshing, cool breeze. Classes start at the beginner level and progress to advanced stretches and movements to improve body flexibility and blood flow, increase heartbeat rates, and calm the mind. Attendees have to bring their own mat, water bottle, and towel, and they first have to congregate at the courtyard parking lot.

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Other Things To Do At Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

  • Visitors can picnic here, and tables and grills are available, including a wheelchair-accessible table.
  • Guided walks are available with a ranger every Saturday at 10 am, and guided group walks are booked by calling 386-462-7905.
  • Tour the visitors' center with interpretive exhibits and displays that explain the state park's natural history and geology.
  • Among the artifacts displayed at the visitor's center include arrowheads, and here visitors also learn how the sinkhole was formed.

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The Devil’s Millhopper Sinkhole Uniqueness

The Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole is unique as it is one of few Florida locations where over 100 feet of rock layers are exposed. The state park's ecosystem (flora and fauna) here also develops in response to the geological features. The sinkhole walls are older the further one descends. Fossils can be seen on walls and tiny creeks flowing into the sinkhole. Fossils and shark teeth remains of marine wildlife have helped researchers understand the sinkhole's geology and age. The clay-rich layers are the ones that have protected the water of the Florida aquifers.

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Tour Spots Near The Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is another travel destination in Florida to visit after leaving Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. It is 3.5 miles west and is on Millhopper Road (County Road 232). San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is an outdoor paradise with stunning natural scenery, ideal for hiking, off-road biking, birding, and horseback riding (subject to a negative Coggins test for horses).

This state park also has a rich history dating back to 1606 when the Spanish settled and built a mission here. Elevation changes and limestone outcrops here provide conditions needed for hardwood tree species to thrive like the huge champion tree collections. Some wildlife visitors see at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park include bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, turkeys, and different songbird species. This state park has an area only for hiking for solitude and peace purposes and another for horseback riding, off-road cycling, and hiking.

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Park Guidelines

Devil's Millhopper Geological Park is located at 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, Florida 32653, and opens from 8 am to sundown seven days a week, all year. Non-aggressive pets are allowed into the park but have to be on leashes not longer than six feet. Alcohol consumption is in designated park areas only, and plants, animals, and park property are protected.

State Park Entry Fee

  • $2 Pedestrian/Cyclist
  • $4/Vehicle (Upto 8 Visitors)