I stepped into Dismals Canyon Conservatory unsure of what to expect. Described on their website as “Alabama’s Last Secret Hiding Place,” it’s compared by Only in Your State as a rare glimpse of “Middle Earth” from the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. No matter what you’ve read, heard, or seen, Dismals Canyon will stun you, like it did me, with its breathtaking beauty.
Dismals Canyon
Located in Phil Campbell, Alabama, it’s an off-the-beaten-path attraction you never expect to find. “Why?” you ask. The answer is almost impossible to believe. Each night the canyons shine with a bioluminescent glow. There’s no paranormal explanation for this. The canyon is one of the two locations in the US where you find North American Orfelia fultoni. (The other location is Appalachian stream banks in North Carolina.) These tiny creatures emit blue-green light, filling the canyon with a soft glow.
A Trip Into Dismals Canyon
How Dismals Canyon got its name is a mystery. Some believe it was named by Scots-Irish settlers, who believed it resembled a craggy region from their homeland in Scotland called the “Dismals.” Others believe the settlers simply thought the place was dreary. Whatever the reason the canyon was named, this 85 acre is a privately owned and operated National Conservatory.
Named as a National Natural Landmark in 1975, it features old-growth virgin forest trees and flowers found nowhere else in the state. The canyon can be accessed by a 1 1/2 mile hiking trail winding gently through the twists and turns of the canyon.
Dismals Canyon History
Although Dismals Canyon is no longer inhabited by humans, it has a long history of occupation, beginning with Paleoamericans about 10,000 years ago. In more modern times, it was home to the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians, who designated it as a spot for cooking and for tribal rituals. It was also where the Chickasaw were captured, rounded up, and held before the US Government forced them from their lands and onto the Trail of Tears.
The Canyon was also the perfect hiding spot for ne’er do wells. Bandits who preyed on people who traveled along the Natchez Trace used the canyons as a hideout After the Civil War, it served as a hideout for the outlaw Jessie James. If you ask one of the guides, they’ll even show you where he supposedly hid his horse.
The Natural Wonders of Dismals Canyon
There’s nothing “dismal” about the sights you can find here! You’ll see a large variety of flora and fauna with over 350 species of plants and 27 varieties of trees. Along the path, you’ll find the Champion Tree, a massive 360-year-old Canadian Hemlock rising majestically from the canyon floor.
The two waterfalls; Rainbow Falls and Secret Falls, are the place to stop and admire the untamed natural beauty. The canyon has another secret as well. You won’t find any mosquitoes, flies, or poison oak. It’s like nature combined all the good parts and left out the bad.
Explore the Dismalites:
Although the hiking path is beautiful, the main attraction is the “Dismalites.” These tiny larvae glow to attract food, showing up in wonderous displays of blinking lights during the evening and nighttime hours. The best place to spot Dismalites is “Witches Cavern,” named for the unusual plants growing only in this area. Since these plants were rare for this area, settlers believed only witches could have planted the mandrakes and mushrooms growing there.
Night tours to see the Dismalites are available but they fill up quickly. Reservations are recommended. Tip: Call several weeks in advance to reserve your spot. Self-guided tours are available during the day or you can hire a guide for an additional fee. If you wish to hire a guide, you’ll need to call in advance and reserve your spot.
Awesome Activities:
Dismals Canyon is located away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Two romantic cabins, charmingly named “Bringing up the Moon” and “Bringing Down The Sun” are available on the North End of the property. Prices vary by the number of occupants. The cabins are fully furnished and include welcome refreshments. Campsites are located in several areas in the park.
Don’t feel like hiking? Relax on the covered sundeck at the main building. Sit in one of the comfy chairs and enjoy the view. You can step inside the Country Store for a quick treat or stop by their soda fountain and grill for an old-fashioned milkshake. If you are more adventurous, you can try the “Slug Burger.”
During the summer swimming is permitted in the natural pool that feeds Rainbow Falls. If you prefer pampering, Dismals Canyon has a variety of massage packages available.
Tips to Know Before You Go:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The rocks along the paths can be slippery, even on days when it is not raining, and there are uneven spots along the trail. You don’t want to fall into the creek on a chilly day!
- Don’t go off the marked trail. Because of the location, if you get hurt, it will be hours before you can be rescued. Rescue crews are unable to access the trail easily.
- Bring Insect Repellent. Although you won’t find mosquitos or poison oak here, you will find ticks.
- The canyon is not handicapped accessible. There is no elevator down to the trail, only steps.
- The floor of the canyon is 14 degrees cooler than the top of the canyon. Bring a jacket or coat in cooler weather or if you chill easily.
- Dismals Canyon is closed each year during the winter months.
- An admission fee is charged for ages 3 and up.
A visit to Dismals Canyon will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to a primordial forest. After all, “Where Dinosaurs Roam” was filmed here. Or, if you prefer the present but crave natural beauty in a serene, unspoiled setting, you’ll find it here. And, the famous Dismal Canyon Glow Worms are worth a visit on their own.
Have you ever visited -or heard of- Dismals Canyon? If you have, let us know your favorite experiences there! If not, Dismals Canyon is a must-visit site to add to your bucket list and travel adventures. Where is your favorite serene nature spot?
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I would love to visit this place for sure! I love the pretty scenery!
What a beautiful place to visit. I love finding little nature spots lile this. They make for the most beautiful photos and adventures.
I want to be there! I love nature trips like this, to places that seem unspoiled with so much history embedded in it. I would love to see those glowing larvae too. It is so nice that there are still spots like Dismal Canyon that showcases the beauty of nature.
The place is very beautiful and has so much history in it. I can’t believe you can actually be in the same place where Jesse James hid. I’d also like to see those little larvae and the display of lights.
What a lovely place. I love going to places like this, to be one with nature and just sit and enjoy it beauty. I am not much of a hiker, but for this scenery, I would instantly be one.
I have never been to Alabama but I have heard and seen good stuff about it. I look forward to visiting it someday soon with my family. This place looks like a blast to check out and travel to!
Slippery or not, I’d take that walk too. What a lovely place to spend some time.
This place looks so peaceful and quiet. It looks like the type of place where you want to go just to get lost with nature and commune with it.
This is my kind of adventure. I love anything related to nature adventures.
Alabama is such a fun place to visit. This is a gorgeous spot.
That is so beautiful! I would love to go but with a group of people, I don’t do so well in woods and feel like I’d get off the path
This does look like a very secluded place.
I really like your photos – they really show some great scenery.
Looks like such a gorgeous place to visit! I would for sure think this is magical. looks just stunning! Would love to walk around here!
This looks like a great place to visit! I love trekking like this! 😀
This place is really a wow! I love beauty of nature. So much beauty that you will see upon entering the place.
This is like a hidden oasis! How gorgeous! I would love to visit this in person some day. Seems like a great place to meditate and relax!
What a breathtaking place! I love nature and hiking and this is definitely a place I would love to visit.
There’s so much history in Dismal Canyon. It really looks like such a beautiful place to explore!
I haven’t been in that place but I saw a lot of impressive and beautiful pictures. I should really visit this place.
We did the drive from Chicago to Huntsville for TBEx and I was so sad to miss out on the pre/post TBEx tours. I can’t wait to get back down there soon, and I hope to visit this area as it looks gorgeous!
What a beautiful place to visit. I’d love to see the sights along the trails. These kinds of natural environments are so refreshing.
Wow, your photos are so beautiful! This looks like such a serene and peaceful place to hike and explore!
Oh my goodness what an absolutely beautiful looking place, I would love to spend some time exploring it myself.
What a great spot, surrounded by nature! It looks amazing.
Dismal Canyon is such a gorgeous place. We went there once, and I’ve been trying to line up a return trip. It’s absolutely magical.
This is so beautiful! I have been looking for a place that is just surrounded by nature and this is it!
This would be the perfect place to explore! I love spending time in secluded spaces of nature.
I’m drawn to natural attractions like this. The view is just so serene and peaceful. It’s an excellent place to relax and unwind.
This looks like a beautiful place to visit. I would love explore Dismal Canyon if I am ever in the area.
Now this is my kind of place to visit. Thanks for the tips about the lower temps and calling ahead to reserve a guide. We are in Georgia so Alabama isn’t too far to travel for us. I’d love to go here.
Oh wow, what a gorgeous area! I’d love to explore it. I know there are some nature spots near me that I really need to check out.
Nature is such an amazing thing, it amazes me the beauty it creates.
That is crazy cool! That is definitely a place that my family would love to spend the day and explore. It’s gorgeous there!!