Located in a corner of Northwest Alabama is a deep gorge that is totally different from any other place in the United States, a place that is primeval in nature at Alabama's Dismals Canyon Conservatory. According to Dismals Canyon’s Managing Director Kevin Cheek, “It is a place reminiscent of Earth at an earlier state, untouched by man, undeveloped and pristine in nature,” and also home to unique species of glowworms that light the canyon aglow at night. There are other very unique “critters” to be seen in the Dismals, including a Giant Hellbender,a type of Salamander. The Hellbender is one of three Salamander species discovered in the past 20 years at the Dismals. The Giant Salamander can weigh up to two pounds.
“Glowworms, found here and locally known as Dismalites, are seen nowhere else in the world except for a few places in Australia and New Zealand,” says Kevin Cheek. As Director, Cheek's eagle eye oversees this natural wonder to make sure it remains as pristine as possible. Cheek also notes, “Similar insects that parade their colors are relatives or “close cousins”, but they differ from the glowworms distinct to Dismals Canyon.” Dismals Canyon is unique in that the glowworms live in the moss and are attracted to its environment, meaning the temperature, nearby water, and moss growth. “Nowhere else will you see them in such numbers. I have seen hundreds of thousands at any given time.” Night tours are available on Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Night time guided tours are very special at the Dismals. Presently, they are available Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 8:30 pm CST, when the glowworms and other wonders are in the limelight. Visitors are urged to bring along individual flashlights for nighttime visits. “The night tours are offered to groups and provide a truly unique experience found nowhere else,” Cheek exclaims. Group tours and cabins are available, along with camping afterwards. For information, call (205) 993-4559.
“The Canyon has mysterious sanctuaries that were used for shelter by Paleo, Cherokee, and Chickasaw Indian Tribes about 10,000 years ago.” [Photo Credit: John Alford]
Anyone entering the canyon, which is privately, not publicly owned, must adhere to certain rules and etiquette. While camping is allowed, no disease bearing firewoods carrying invasive insects are allowed. Native firewood can be purchased at $5 per bundle for campers' use. Each campsite comes with a fire ring and access to modern bathhouses. And campers must hike to their campsites located at strategic spots within the canyon's bottom.
The Dismals is not a place for wheeled camper equipment, so RVs and pop-ups must remain outside the Dismals designated area, parked in a special parking area. This includes strollers, wheelchairs and all other wheeled equipment. “Only primitive camping is allowed, although our staff will, for a charge of $75, carry in camping gear for campers, then take it out for our visitors,” says Cheek. There is also a refundable $50 cash damage charge for each campsite as well.
“Camping the Dismals has been designed with serenity and security in mind,” Cheek stresses, noting that there are “no concrete RV slabs, or manmade swimming pools.” He adds that in the Dismals Canyon, you will find pristine wilderness, romantic cabins, secluded campsites and wonderful waterfalls.
“Dismals Canyon is a place where you'll see moss covered rocks and tree trunks, tinkling and thundering waterfalls, along with curious rock formations, and exotic wildlife,” says Cheek. Plant life unique to the area and myriad kinds of birds can be seen as well, along with “clean, fresh water.” Some of the campsites are situated alongside the canyon's fresh running creeks, including the 'Sleeping Water Site, ''Dead WaterBluff, and Creekside Sites 1, 2, and 3, each totally unique and different from any camping anywhere else. The latter, primitive sites, are located across the road from parking, beside a creek.
Different camping rates are charged for the various sites, ranging from $27 to $48, with some restrictions applied such as a rule that no pets be tied or chained anywhere in the canyon. Special Scouts' camping rates are offered. Scouts must be 18 years old and under, and Scout Leaders are excluded from the Scout pricing. Camping is available year 'round, except in February, when no camping is allowed.
Admission to the canyon floor is $30 per person and only cash or checks are accepted, although reservations via credit cards are allowed. Holiday admissions and camping charges differ slightly. See the campsite rates page here.
In addition to the campsites and cabins, night-time tours, and a 1.5-mile hiking trail, there is a Dismals Canyon Country Store, where camping materials are sold, along with firewood, propane, food, gifts and other goods. Recently opened also is a new old- fashioned "Soda Fountain and Grill" offering Slug Burgers, and a wide range of ice cream specialties, including sodas, sundaes and malts, with cornbread salad and all-meat burgers.
“Primitive tent camping at The Dismals.” [Photo Credit: Andrew Lee]
Alabama's Dismals Canyon was designated, a secluded wilderness, filled with natural phenomena, tucked away in the Appalachian Foothills and named an 85-acre National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park’s administration in 1975. The Dismals are located at 901 Highway 8, Phil Campbell, Ala., 12 miles south of Russellville on Highway 8, off U.S Highway 43 (Alabama Highway 7) between Russellville and Hamilton. Operating hours are 7 days a week, beginning Memorial Day weekend. After Memorial Day, hours shift to Mon.-Thur. 11 AM to 5 PM; Friday 11 AM to 9 PM; Saturday 9 AM to 9 PM; and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM. “Admission to the park for day hikers is different. Cheek reports, “Daytime admission for day hikers is $12 for adults, $11 for those over age 60, and for those under 12 the price is $8.75.”
Cheek warns, “Camping is available on weekends only from March-November and through the week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The designated place for RV parking, isn't very large, so I would advise anyone with questions about a large RV, or if they are pulling a large boat, to call ahead so that they do not run into problems trying to turn around or anything.”
One of the nearest campgrounds to Dismals Canyon accepting RV's is at Sliprock Campground – Bear Creek at 170 Sliprock Camp Road, Russellville, AL 35633, with 53 sites, full hook-ups, a camp store, picnic tables, bathhouse, boat ramp, fishing pier and more.
The conservatory is within easy driving distance of another unique location in the state: Sipsey Wilderness. About 30 miles east in Bankhead National Forest, it is one of two designated wilderness areas in the State of Alabama. It covers 25,000 acres and is the third largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. So be assured you will never be pondering on what to do while roaming through Alabama.