Deep Hole

The trail out to Deep Hole

One of gems of Myakka River State Park is Deep Hole. A 140′ deep sinkhole that draws alligators like a white trash bag draws ravens. The volunteer at Oscar Scherer was the first to put Deep Hole on my radar.

It’s a 2 mile hike out to Deep Hole, and you need one of the thirty permits issued each day to venture out there. The hike is a relatively easy one, a bit sandy in spots, but flat terrain. I was at the ranger station by 8:15am to get the permit, then drove to the trailhead.

As many as 200 alligators can be seen out at Deep Hole, at any one time. I have no idea how many were there for my visit. There were a dozen sunning themselves on shore, and another 50 or so in the water. The number in the water was tough to estimate, as they kept submersing and rising again.

Every black bump on the water is an alligator

At first, I had one bank of the ‘Gator Hole to myself, but eventually other hikers clambered through the hammock to join me. Still, the entire time I was out there, the gators far outnumbered the dozen or so hikers.

One can also kayak or canoe out to Deep Hole, although I’m not sure if actually kayaking into the Hole would be a great idea, or even if it is allowed. I talked to a father/son team that morning who were planning on canoeing out there later that day. There is a nice beach to land at on the lake which Deep Hole connects to.

I don’t know what time of year, or even what time of day, is best to hike out there to catch a glimpse of the most alligators. I was there, so I went, and I was glad that I did. Deep Hole for gators is like McNeil River for brown bears, and a place well worth the trek out to visit.