Devil's Millhopper

Devil's Millhopper GSP https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/devils-millhopper-geological-state-park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil's_Millhopper_Geological_State_Park Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is is located in the north-westernmost part of Gainesville, Florida. The park is adjacent to San Felasco County Park and is near the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. The most prominent feature of the State Park is the large sinkhole formed by the dissolution of limestone by acidic groundwater over long periods of time. Devil's Millhopper is unique in Florida in terms of its scale; over 100 feet (30 m) of rock layers are exposed.

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 • • • • • • • • 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. 

Camping and Cabins Guide Florida State Parks FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Welcome When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight accommodations. At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a kayak, a book and a friend. What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day? Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family and friends. Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply do nothing. We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins. 2 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Family Camping Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents, campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are also available. • One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite or cabin. • Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight people per site, not including children under 6 years old. • Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay in the park through the end of the day. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. • Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may only allow one vehicle. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 3 Cabins From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and porch swings. • Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday, or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday. Some exceptions apply. • Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors. • Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 4 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks • Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas. • Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may also be charged for lost/stolen items. Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses. Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees. Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 5 Camping with Pets and Service Animals Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have specific areas prohibiting pets. Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability. Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability prevents the use of these devices. 6 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Reservations Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com. Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites. Prices per night: Campsites $16 to $42 Cabins $30 to $160 Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70 *Prices subject to change. A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c