Dismals Canyon: A Bioluminescent Wonderland

Tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains near Phil Campbell, Alabama, Dismals Canyon is an 85-acre privately-owned natural conservatory that offers a unique and enchanting experience. Designated a National Natural Landmark, the canyon boasts a rich history, stunning geological formations, and diverse plant life. Explore the canyon floor via a 1.5-mile hiking trail that winds along Dismals Branch, a stream fed by Rainbow Falls. The trail leads you through a landscape of massive boulders, past waterfalls, and into a world of moss-covered rocks and towering trees. Points of interest include Rainbow Falls, Secret Falls, the Grotto, Weeping Bluff, and Temple Cave. Dismals Canyon has a rich human history, having been inhabited by Paleoamericans nearly 10,000 years ago. Artifacts discovered in the area suggest that many Stone-Age cultures called Dismals Canyon home. The canyon has also been home to Chickasaw and Cherokee peoples. However, the canyon's most enchanting feature is undoubtedly the Dismalites (Orfelia fultoni), bioluminescent glowworms that light up the canyon at night. These tiny creatures, close relatives of glowworms found in Australia and New Zealand, require a specific habitat to survive and are found in only a few places on Earth. Guided night tours offer visitors the chance to witness this magical spectacle. Dismals Canyon is open seasonally, from March to November. During the summer, the canyon offers a refreshing escape, with temperatures typically 14 degrees cooler than the Alabama average.