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Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,414 Google reviews · Running trail in Gainesville, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Lush park where visitors can hike to view small waterfalls, thick foliage & a 120-ft. cavity.
What runners say about Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
“With a short walking trail around it and nice clean bathrooms this is a great stop!”
“When we went the waterfall was tiny and there was almost no water down there but it was still beautiful!”
“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!”
“Easy walking paths but the steps down to the viewing platform may be a bit much for some folks; especially on the way up.”
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.
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.
Super cool experience to be able to see and learn about. Beautifully redone boardwalk and stair system. Take the stairs down the 130 feet deep hole to witness a whole ecosystem that has flourished. With a short walking trail around it and nice clean bathrooms this is a great stop!
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.”
Trail conditions & character
“There is one main trail that loops around the sinkhole and down the stairs with nice views of the trees, and a few picnic tables by the parking area.”
“Lovely forest walk, wear proper shoes, be prepared to climb (but you don't have to), lovely educational ranger station with restrooms, Picnic grounds, handicapped accessible.”
“There is one main trail that loops around the sinkhole and down the stairs with nice views of the trees, and a few picnic tables by the parking area.”
“Lovely forest walk, wear proper shoes, be prepared to climb (but you don't have to), lovely educational ranger station with restrooms, Picnic grounds, handicapped accessible.”
“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!”
“Would love it it you could get closer (ground level boardwalk?”
“But for $4 for the car, it was a unique geological feature in a painfully flat state.”
Plan your run at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitefloridastateparks.org
- Phone+1 352-955-2008
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