Dismals Canyon

Dismals Canyon, a protected sandstone gorge near Phil Campbell in northwestern Alabama, is preserved within an 85-acre nature area and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974 for its distinctive geology and ecology. It is especially famous for dismalites, the glowing larvae of Orfelia fultoni, whose blue-green light draws food and mates and can be seen on night tours. The canyon also features Secret Falls, Rainbow Falls, and six natural bridges. Its history includes the captivity of Chickasaw Native Americans there for two weeks before their forced removal along the Trail of Tears, and it later served as a filming location for When Dinosaurs Roamed America.

Alabama · United States