• Home
  • Destinations
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Indiana
      • Kentucky
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Oregon
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Utah
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • Wyoming
    • International Travel
      • Canada
      • Dominica
      • Iceland
      • Indonesia – Bali
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malta
      • Singapore
      • Tanzania
  • Travel Tips/ Gear
    • Family Travel Tips/ Gear
      • 10 Life-Changing Benefits With Family Travel
      • Family Road Trip Tips
      • Easy Ways to Save Money
      • National Park Pass Tips (Free for 4th Graders)
      • Top Travel Toys
      • Best Hiking Gear
      • Great Hiking Snacks
      • Free Audiobooks
    • International Tips
      • International Travel Checklist
      • Tips from “4 Old Soles”
  • Kid’s Books
    • 50+ Amazing U.S. History Books for Kids
    • 30+ U.S. Wild West Books
    • 20+ Top Fantasy Book Series for Tweens
    • 75+ Travel/ Adventure Books for Kids
  • Our Story
  • Posts
10 Traveling Feet
Let's Find Your Traveling Feet!

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, Florida (A Unique “Rainforest” Hike)

by Jenny March 30, 2023
1.6K
Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole Trail, Florida - Ferns

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

Devil’s Millhopper Park Map & Brochure

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 Sign, Florida

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.

Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole Trail, Florida - staircase
Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole Trail

 

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!)

Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole Trail, Florida - Ferns

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.

Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole Trail, Florida -the Base

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.

Devil's Millhopper Rim Trail, Florida
Devil's Millhopper Rim Trail
Devil's Millhopper Rim Trail, Florida
Devil's Millhopper Rim Trail

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

 

Have a Great Hike at Devil’s Millhopper with Your Traveling Feet!

Read More of our Posts on Florida.

Find More Top Destinations and Hikes Across the United States.

If You Found this Pin Helpful, Please Pin it/ Share it

Devil's Millhopper Pin

Thank you

Read More:

  • 10 Fun Trails to Hike near Clearwater, FL with Kids!
  • How to Walk to Caladesi Island From North Clearwater Beach
  • 10 Gorgeous Beaches near Clearwater (that Locals Love)

You May Also Like:

  • How to Hike Alligator Alley Trail at Circle B Bar Reserve, FL
  • Where, When & How to Best See Manatees in Florida
  • Rainbow Springs State Park, FL: Discover Breathtaking Crystal Clear Water

10 Traveling Feet is a participant of Amazon Associates and other affiliates which means means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.  Thank you for supporting 10 Traveling Feet.

Jenny

Welcome to 10 Traveling Feet! My name is Jenny and we are a family of five that loves to explore & learn about our incredible world! Discover our favorite sites, top hikes, fantastic hidden gems and helpful travel tips for Your Next Adventure! Let's Find Your "Traveling Feet!"

Leave a Comment

Our Story

Our Story

Meet 10 Traveling Feet!

Hi! Welcome to 10 Traveling Feet! Come join our family of 5 as we Explore & Learn all about Our Incredible World! Discover our Best Travel Tips, Planning Strategies and Easily Find the Most Amazing Places for Your Next Family Vacation. Let's Find Your "Traveling Feet!"

road trip toys

Subscribe

Join The Traveling Feet Family To Keep Up On Our Top Travel Tips, Latest Adventures and Best Family Guides!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top
10 Traveling Feet
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Indiana
      • Kentucky
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Oregon
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Utah
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • Wyoming
    • International Travel
      • Canada
      • Dominica
      • Iceland
      • Indonesia – Bali
      • Kenya
      • Madagascar
      • Malta
      • Singapore
      • Tanzania
  • Travel Tips/ Gear
    • Family Travel Tips/ Gear
      • 10 Life-Changing Benefits With Family Travel
      • Family Road Trip Tips
      • Easy Ways to Save Money
      • National Park Pass Tips (Free for 4th Graders)
      • Top Travel Toys
      • Best Hiking Gear
      • Great Hiking Snacks
      • Free Audiobooks
    • International Tips
      • International Travel Checklist
      • Tips from “4 Old Soles”
  • Kid’s Books
    • 50+ Amazing U.S. History Books for Kids
    • 30+ U.S. Wild West Books
    • 20+ Top Fantasy Book Series for Tweens
    • 75+ Travel/ Adventure Books for Kids
  • Our Story
  • Posts