Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

Very well maintained trail and stairs to the bottom of the hole. Small for a state park, at least compared to New York where we’re from. I’m sure others in Florida are more significant. But for $4 for the car, it was a unique geological feature in a painfully flat state. Plenty of parking despite a beautiful Saturday in early January, I’m sure it’s more impressive with water in the basin but still an enjoyable albeit brief excursion in the Gainesville area. Worth a visit if you’re nearby.

Very nice small park with a trail around the top of the sinkhole and 132 steps down into the sinkhole. There are areas to stop and rest at various levels on the stairs.

Would love more trail but thankful for what’s there. The trail at the top around the rim is only 0.5 miles. 264 stairs round trip to the sinkhole observation deck. Would love it it you could get closer (ground level boardwalk?) to them bottom or have access to the water. Typical state park prices but I’m a pass holder so didn’t need to pay - you can pay online. They do a guided walk on Saturday AMs if you’d like that. I prefer self guiding. The visitor center looks fabulous with very nice displays. Super large clean restrooms (unisex). Picnic tables and grills available. Benches along the 0.5 mile trail. Plenty of parking. Lots of shade so even on a hot day it’s good.

It took us about 40 minutes to check out and enjoy the place including short trip to restroom, hike the 264 steps round trip down the sinkhole, photo ops, and hike the short nature trail. You pay using the QR code at the entrance. “Pets on leash only.”

Great place to explore, friendly people locals and tourists! Had a nice time , they have bathrooms and is very easy to park ,also can bring your pets!

This place is awesome. Be ready to enjoy the descent, but remember you have to climb back up! 😁 They do a great job educating about the area with signs posted throughout.

I was very underwhelmed with this park although it was clean and well maintained. The sinkhole is nothing special to see and the 1/2 trail was fine.

A quiet place to admire nature, get some exercise walking up and down the many steps on the stairways, and breathe some fresh air-all located right in the city! When I've visited in the mornings, the water at the bottom of the sinkhole was bluish colored. During the daylight, it turns a brownish color..

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+++!

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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**

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.

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

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.

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!!

Just a heads up they ask for $5 per car dropped in an envelope in a collector bin at the entrance. The second half of the trail was closed due to the bridge being shut-down. We walked the trail and had a nice short walk with our dog. The view of the hole was neat. The park is clean.

I love this place. Admission into the park is a little box that you're supposed to put cash into depending on if you're in a car or bike if I remember correctly. It's the honor system but it's only a few dollars to help maintain the grounds. There is a nature trail you can walk or you can take the multiple steps down to the bottom to see the sinkhole. Sometimes Gainesville has inclement weather though and many times I've gone it's been closed halfway to the bottom due to trees falling on the stairs. When you can make it to the bottom though it's beautiful. This is a popular place for families and couples and also people with dogs or who are looking for a good workout outside. It's mostly shaded so you keep cool despite the Gainesville heat. Definitely worth checking out

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.

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.

Didn't know Florida had cool spots like this. A quick pit stop during a road trip to Tallahassee. A giant sink hole that has taken on the Essenes of a rainforest, in Florida. I thought it was pretty neat and well taken care of. I wouldn't come out my way just for this stop but if you're in the area why not.

a beautiful unexpected natural wonder in Florida. The park station has some displays and a walking tour, but the real star is the sinkhole itself. The pretty waterfalls and interesting foliage make it a gorgeously fascinating place. There were small signs indicating fun facts, but I wish there were more regarding the history of the location. Those stairs are killer! But worth it.

Like walking back in time. We'll worth the steps. Take your time to take in the details as this is a short hike.

Love this beautiful little park for a nice walk in the woods and a unique view of a Florida sinkhole. Unfortunately the boardwalk is still closed to get to the bottom of the hole, but there is a sign at the gate before you pay the $4.00 to park your car warning you in case that is the reason you came to visit. There are still nice walking trails and on Saturday morning a ranger will take you for a guided walk and share the history as well as current conditions of the site. There is also a yoga class that meets in the picnic area on Saturdays. If I had my mat and the proper clothes I might have asked if I could have joined them. Such a peaceful place to enjoy nature and get some morning exercise. Even just walking through the park, I felt relaxed and happy. With water falling down into the sink hole surrounded with giant ferns, I often feel like I am in a scene from Jurassic Park when I spend time here. Hopefully the boardwalk will be repaired soon so you can take the entire walk down the many stairs (again great exercise) to get below ground level in Florida.

It's been several years since my wife, I, and some friends went to Devil's Millhopper. Along with our son and theirs, we spent an afternoon enjoying the hiking trail and the adventure down into the sinkhole. They drove their class A motorhome from the Palatka area and we went in style in our 1955 Chevy station wagon. Parked near picnic tables and had a nice picnic using the motorhome as our kitchen and supply room. We suggest making it a nice picnic and bring food and drink of your own. We only live 50 miles west but my wife has learned over the years to never leave home for a ride without food and drink. I might end up in another state. Being mature adults we spent a good deal of time decending and walking back up the stairs. Still it was not that bad. Perhaps we were in better shape back then. We also noticed several younger people actually running up and down and commented how that must be a real workout. Being campers and nature lovers we all enjoyed the afternoon and the relaxing feeling of just standing down below thinking of why this hole in the ground was formed and all of the critters it has sucked up over centuries. We were happy to be able to just walk back out. Too many people expect too much when going to places like this. This ain't DisneyWorld and we are happy that there are public places where we can still enjoy Florida as it was. It still amazes us that this hole in the ground is so close to homes and downtown Gainesville. Being from the midwest hurricanes and sink holes always worry us. But after 21 years we realize we worry too much. Get out and enjoy nature while you still can and before someone fills this hole in for a strip mall..

Who needs a Stairmaster when you can go to this park instead? The main attraction is an enormous sinkhole - you ascend and descend via boardwalk, with many, many steps - I think my iPhone said it was the equivalent of about 10 floors, altogether. Don't worry, there are plenty of landings to catch your breath, I mean, pause and check out the scenic views. I first visited this park probably a decade ago and at the bottom, there was quite a bit of water then, but it's been so dry lately, there were only a few streams trickling here and there (which still looks and sounds very cool). The park is dog friendly, and even if your dog isn't into stairs (or if you aren't, either) there is a solid nature trail around the park as well.

Not much too it and gorge stairs shut down due to damage. Still they made us pay full price. Need to expand forest trail dramatically!

Devil's Milhopper is a giant sinkhole. Yep, true. That sounds lame, but it's really what it is, although chances are`you haven't seena sinkhole this large before. I came here once during college for a class trip, and remember thinking that it sucked. But we came back last year with a small group of friends and it was a lot nicer and more interesting. There is a set of stairs that lead down to the bottom of the sinkhole, as well as a path/trail that runs around the perimeter up top, as well as into the woods a bit, if I'm not mistaken. So it's a nce spot just to get out into nature for a half hour or an hour or so. Waterfalls line the sinkhole, which is always a bonus. There's also some benches to sit on and watch a video that describes the history and the layers of earth that line the hole. I dunno what I'd recommend as far as when to come - sumer will be hot and buggy, but that's the rainy season, so waterfalls should be better.

Okay I really had to write a review for Devil's Milhopper, simply because it seems to have gotten a bad rap on Yelp. Yes, it is a sinkhole, but it is HUGE, and the natural beauty here is extraordinary. I absolutely love coming here, and it has to be one of my favorite non-swimming places in central Florida. The Good: Lots of Natural Beauty: From the plants to the waterfall and the birds, there is so much here to see. The place is just gorgeous, and it is a nice place to bring a book or an MP3 player and just zone out. Get some exercise! : OK, I can't lie, taking the stairs down to the bottom of this thing is pretty freaking brutal. The last time I went was about 6 months ago and I was only 21 at the time. And seriously, my legs were ACHING! And if you bring small kids (whom you may have to carry) you can just forget about it. You'll be staying for the day not because you want to, but because you don't want to go back up the stairs! The Bad: A little boring: Okay I will agree to the point that going here is not exactly the most thrilling experience in the universe. I mean, we can't ALL be nature buffs. My advice? If you have a love for all things nature, and don't mind a little workout, then this place is great. If that's not really your thing, then you might as well move on.

Ok, it is not the most exciting place, but it is different than anything else you will see around and the vegetation is also very different from the usual in these parts and walking the stairs is good exercise. In the midst of north Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground, and lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers. A significant geological formation, Devil's Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark that has been visited by the curious since the early 1880s. Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells, and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink. Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about this sinkhole through interpretive displays. The park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

We went with our 3 year old and 5 other members of our family. We all enjoyed the trip. It was very interesting and definitely a sight to see. I wish there would have been some sort of water/food for purchase, did not see that while there, but perhaps I missed it.

This geological state park's main feature is a massive sink hole. The sink hole is impressive being 117 feet deep and 500 feet across. Prior to making our descent into the sink hole, we enjoyed the 1/2 mile nature trail. The trail was a refreshing walk and it was a brisk day. There is a very long staircase that takes visitors down to the bottom of the sink hole. I found it quite intriguing being in the middle of this limestone sinkhole. One of my favorite features was the water cascading throughout the park. The waterfalls seep from the the rock and deep vegetation, and it eventually makes it way back to the Gulf of Mexico. I would recommend a visit to Devil's Millhopper to enjoy nature and have a extensive leg work with all those stairs.

This sinkhole was slightly impressive, but not worth the $4 to see it. Best part about it was the exercise we all got climbing the 200 steps back up the hill. You can do this whole thing in under 20 minutes. Please note: entrance fee is $4 a car, on the honor system. You must have exact change!

Beautiful park! The park itself and the bathrooms were very clean and maintained. Lots of space for walking around and perfect for hanging a hammock.