Devil's MillhopperBrochure |
Brochure of Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park in Florida. Published by Florida State Parks.
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Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
History and Nature
Devil’s Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark
that has been visited by the curious since the early
1880s. Researchers have learned about Florida’s
natural history by studying fossil shark teeth,
marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct
land animals found in the sink. The sinkhole is 120
feet deep and 500 feet across. A half-mile nature
trail follows the rim, and a 232-step stairway
descends to the bottom of the sink. This site
became a state park in 1974, and the stairs were
completed in 1976. Until that time, there was no
improved access to the bottom of the sinkhole.
The name Devil’s Millhopper is derived from its
funnel-like shape, which resembles a ‘hopper’
that was used to funnel grain onto a millstone in a
water-powered gristmill. Because fossilized bones
and teeth from early life forms have been found at
the bottom of the sink, it was said that the Devil’s
Millhopper fed bodies to the devil.
Sinkholes develop when surface soils collapse
into large cavities that have developed in
underlying limestone bedrock. Cavities gradually
form in the limestone as it is slowly dissolved
by weakly acidic rainwater. Rainwater becomes
slightly acidic when it combines with carbon
dioxide in the air to form carbonic acid, and
strengthens somewhat as it soaks into the ground
and passes through dead plant material. Small
cavities created by dissolving of the limestone
may eventually join to form a huge cavern. When
the ceiling of the cavern collapses under the
weight of the earth above it, the result is a giant
sinkhole such as the Devil’s Millhopper.
Lush ferns, needle palms, orchids and many other
plants including stately live oaks and towering
spruce pines and swamp chestnut oaks are found
along the slopes of the sinkhole. Elsewhere, in the
uplands surrounding the sinkhole, longleaf pines
dominate the landscape.
DEVILS MILLHOPPER GEOLOGICAL STATE PARK
4732 Millhopper Road
Gainesville, FL 32653
(352) 955-2008
DEVILS MILLHOPPER
GEOLOGICAL
Northeast
STATE PARK
Florida
FloridaStateParks.org
Park Guidelines
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A Geological Wonder
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Wednesday through Sunday. The park is closed
on Monday and Tuesday.
An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees
may apply.
All plants, animals and park property are
protected.
Pets must be kept on a hand-held leash no
longer than six feet and must be well behaved
at all times.
Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
Alcoholic beverage consumption is allowed in
designated areas only.
Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger station.
Florida’s state parks are committed to providing
equal access to all facilities and programs.
Should you need assistance to enable your
participation, please contact the ranger station.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park.
SM
FLORIDA
State Parks
Created on 1/15
National Gold Medal Winner
Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner”
Welcome to
In the midst of north Florida’s sandy terrain and
pine forests is a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet
deep and 500 feet across, the Devil’s Millhopper.
Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the
limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices
in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade
of the walls even in dry summers.
A visitor center offers interpretive displays and
exhibits that explain the site’s natural history. Park
rangers offer guided walks on Saturdays at 10:00
a.m. Special tours are available for groups by
reservation.
Take a half-mile trail around the rim of the sinkhole
and travel down the 232 steps to the bottom.
Explore 64 acres of natural Florida. Many types
of small animals including a wide variety of birds
and lizards, tree frogs, and squirrels can be seen
on the slopes of the sinkhole and along the nature
trail. Occasionally, white-tailed deer and wild
turkey can be spotted. Bring a picnic lunch. Picnic
tables are available.
Directions
Observation
Deck
Devil’s
Millhopper
Millhopper Road
Take I-75 to C.R.
222 (Milepost Exit
390) and drive east
3.8 miles. At NW
43rd Street, turn left. At the
second traffic light, turn left
onto Millhopper Road (C.R.
232). Park entrance is located
approximately 1,000 feet west
on the right.