Devil’s Millhopper is a unique “rainforest” hike located in central Florida, on the northwest side of Gainesville.
Here, you can descend into a 120-foot deep (500-foot across) sinkhole that was formed long ago. And in this ancient hole, is a miniature rainforest!
Hiking down into the sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper is a short, unique hike that’s been on my list to do for a while now. And last weekend I was finally able to experience this fun hike for myself!
Below, I’d love to share with you what our family found, so that you’ll know more of what to expect when hiking into the unique sinkhole of Devil’s Millhopper.
Devil’s Millhopper Park Information
Address: 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653
- This is less than 2 hours north of Orlando or a little over 2 hours north of Tampa, FL
Hours: 8am – sundown
Fees: $4 per vehicle up to 8 visitors, $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists
When we arrived at Devil’s Millhopper, our family first drove past an entrance gate (that can be closed when the park is closed.) We then headed down the nicely paved road to a decent sized parking lot. Here there were several nearby picnic tables, nestled amongst the shade of trees. (This would make for a great lunch picnic spot when visiting.)
We then proceeded to pay. This can be done by putting $4 cash into an envelope that is provided at the pay box or you can scan a QR Code with your phone. The QR Code takes you to the state park website, where you can pay the small fee with a credit card.
After paying, we headed down the paved sidewalk to the trailhead.
Not far from the parking lot is a Ranger booth and “visitor center” where you can get maps, ask any questions, or make a quick stop to the restroom. Here, there is also a small informational outdoor exhibit that details how this sinkhole formed, why it’s so unique and how a miniature “rainforest” formed in its cavity.
After reading up about how this unique site formed, we then began our adventure down the paved path toward the sinkhole.
Shortly down the sidewalk path, the trail splits and a sign points you to head left for the sinkhole or right to walk the trail around the top of the sinkhole.
Devil’s Millhopper Trail Details:
Sinkhole Trail:
- 142 steps down a nice wood staircase, with a viewpoint spot at the end.
- There is no path to the bottom of the sinkhole itself, just a platform overlooking it. (There is water in the bottom of this sinkhole.)
Rim Trail:
- 0.5 mile nature trail around the rim of the sinkhole.
- One of the bridges on the loop is being repaired (as of April 2023), therefore this is an out & back trail and will remain so until the bridge is fixed. Please check the website for up-to-date information about the trail status.
Time Needed to Hike Both Trails:
- 30-45min total, at a relaxed pace.
Devil’s Millhopper Sinkhole Trail
We hiked down into the sinkhole first, since this is what we mainly came here to see.
Going left at the fork (and following the sign) the concrete sidewalk path lead us to a beautiful wood staircase. Here, we began the 142 steps down into the sinkhole.
Up at the top, along the rim, the scenery on this trail, is a beautiful wooded pine-forest and the birds were chirping everywhere. As we journeyed down into the sinkhole, the landscape began to change and so did some of the sounds.
Ferns started appearing along the sinkhole’s walls and the sounds of trickling water filled the air. The atmosphere was extremely peaceful, slightly cooler and very relaxing. (To me, it sounded like those relaxing nature cds and I loved it!)
A “Rainforest” Atmosphere
One thing that makes this sinkhole hike so unique, is the small amounts of water that seep out from the entire circumference of the sinkhole’s walls, from the rim down. This not only gives life to the ferns that grow all along these shaded walls, but it also creates small picturesque trickling streams that flow down to its base. This in turn creates a fun rainforest atmosphere, in the middle of Florida!
In no time at all, we reached the platform at the end of the trail, that overlooks the small pool at the bottom of the sinkhole.
Here, we spent a few moments enjoying the view and listening to the sounds of trickling water before we headed back up the staircase.
Once back up along the sinkhole’s rim, we next walked the Rim Trail.
Rim Trail
Since the bridge was still being repaired along this trail in April 2023, we could not walk the entire loop circle. If this is still the case when you visit, just know that the trail is only 0.5 mile around the entire rim, so which ever way you go (and back-track) the entire trail does not take long to walk at all, so just enjoy your stroll through the woods.
Overall, the hike at Devil’s Millhopper made for a fun, short outing in a unique “rainforest” atmosphere. And our family really enjoyed it, but I will say that I don’t feel that this is a hike that you should drive far way out of your way for.
But if you do happen to be in the area, or you need a quick leg stretcher while driving south through Florida on I-75 (it’s only 10 minutes off the interstate) then I would definitely recommend this fun, quick hike at Devil’s Millhopper.
Devil’s Millhopper Official Website
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