Dismals Canyon
Encyclopedia
Phil Campbell, Alabama
Phil Campbell is a town in Franklin County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,091. Phil Campbell is the birthplace of Billy Sherrill.-Geography:Phil Campbell is located at .According to the U.S...
in Franklin County, Alabama
Franklin County, Alabama
Franklin County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. As of 2010, the population was 31,704...
. It was declared a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
in May 1974.
Dismals Canyon is one of only a few places where insects called dismalites (Orfelia fultoni
Orfelia fultoni
Orfelia fultoni is the only bioluminescent member of Diptera found in North America. It is distantly related to Arachnocampa. The larvae of the species live in stream banks among moss and rock cavities, as well as in wet sandstone caves. They build sticky webs, and using their two bioluminescent...
, a distant relative of Arachnocampa
Arachnocampa
Arachnocampa is a genus of four fungus gnat species which are, in their larval stage, glowworms. They are found mostly in New Zealand and Australia in caves and grottos, or sheltered places in forests....
) can be found. The larval forms of these flies emit a bright blue-green light to attract food and mates. They cover the canyon wall.
The canyon is home to two waterfalls, Secret Falls and Rainbow Falls, and six natural bridges
Natural arch
A natural arch or natural bridge is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath. Most natural arches form as a narrow ridge, walled by cliffs, become narrower from erosion, with a softer rock stratum under the cliff-forming stratum gradually eroding out until...
.
Dismals Canyon is operated commercially as part of an 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) nature preserve, and a fee is charged for entry. Night tours are conducted to view the dismalites
Orfelia fultoni
Orfelia fultoni is the only bioluminescent member of Diptera found in North America. It is distantly related to Arachnocampa. The larvae of the species live in stream banks among moss and rock cavities, as well as in wet sandstone caves. They build sticky webs, and using their two bioluminescent...
. Camping is available in both traditional campsites and in cabins.
Historical connections
ChickasawChickasaw
The Chickasaw are Native American people originally from the region that would become the Southeastern United States...
Indians were held captive in the canyon for two weeks before embarking on a forced journey along the Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...
. Several outlaws have allegedly hidden in the canyon, including Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...
and Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
.