Gainesville, Florida: Devil's Millhopper Geologic State Park

The staircase to the bottom of the Millhopper is open again! The new staircase doesn't go down quite as far as it used to, but it's still quite a walk. It also restores the Millhopper's status as one of the main Old School roadside attractions in Gainesville.

Apparently the stairway that descends into the sinkhole was damaged during Hurricane Irma and can't be used until at least 2019. I was told by the park employee that I should call first before traveling there to take the stairs.

Good, simple walk! Very cool temperature in the summer!

Well worth the hundreds of steps down to the bottom! You can see and hear mini waterfalls running down the sides of the sinkhole. You're legs might be a bit sore climbing back up the stairs but you'll definitely enjoy some great views along the way! There are also nice walking trails around the sinkhole.

The previous tips didn't mention the interpretive center at the Devil's Millhopper. This comes complete with explanations of the natural forces that created the Millhopper, a short film (which isn't always working, unfortunately), and a small display of local wildlife.

The Millhopper itself is very impressive. Once you hit the bottom, the temperature seems to drop about 20 degrees, and it looks and feels remarkably like something you'd find in a tropical rain forest. That being said, expect to be a bit tuckered out by the time you're done; the previously mentioned 200+ stairs isn't an exaggeration!