Phil Campbell, Alabama: Eerie Glowing Dismalites of Dismals Canyon
The mysterious twinkling worms of Dismals Canyon can only be seen at night.
- Address:
- County Road 8, Phil Campbell, AL
- Directions:
- From Russellville in the north, drive south on US 43 for 11.5 miles; from Hamilton in the south, drive north on US 43 for 19 miles. Turn west onto County Road 8 and drive one mile. The entrance to Dismals Canyon will be on the left, just past Herring Rd.
- Hours:
- Guided night tours are held year-round; call for current times. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 205-993-4559
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Beautiful place. The night tour was great and the glow worms were plentiful.
The camping site that we were given was a hill and there was no flat spot. The bathrooms were far away, and there was no water except from the bathroom faucet. We looked around and the only decent camping spot was the one pictured on the web site under a cliff.
[Becki Retzlaff, 06/10/2019]This is also one of the only spots on the planet that is still like prehistoric times (vegetation). National Geographic did a story on this place; it's awesome.
[tim, 08/24/2011]I have heard that in this little spot in our fair state, you can camp outdors in a primeval forest and at night thousands of little lights start shining in the darkness. No, it's not fireflies...who knows what it REALLY is? They call them "dismalites" and this is the only place in the world you can see them.
[Lynne, 11/13/2000]Nearby Offbeat Places
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The mysterious Twinkling Worms of Dismals Canyon are known locally as the Dismalites, and are promoted in area tourist literature. The Canyon is also home to the World's Largest Deumaria Vine. Maybe that's what the worms are wrapping around....