Dismals Canyon
Dismals Canyon | |
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![]() Rainbow Falls at Dismals Canyon near Phil Campbell in Franklin County, Alabama. | |
Location in Alabama Location in United States | |
Location | Franklin County, Alabama |
Nearest city | Phil Campbell |
Coordinates | 34°19′30.65″N 87°46′54.21″W / 34.3251806°N 87.7817250°W |
Area | 85 acres (34 ha) |
Website | Official website |
Designated | May 1974 |
Dismals Canyon is a sandstone gorge near Phil Campbell in Franklin County, Alabama. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1974.[1]
Dismals Canyon is one of only a few places where insects called dismalites (Orfelia fultoni, a distant relative of Arachnocampa) 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.[2]
The canyon is home to two waterfalls, Secret Falls and Rainbow Falls, and six natural bridges.
Dismals Canyon is operated commercially as part of an 85-acre (34 ha) nature preserve, and a fee is charged for entry. Night tours are conducted to view the dismalites. Camping is available in both traditional campsites and in cabins.
Historical connections
[edit]Chickasaw Native Americans were held captive in the canyon for two weeks before embarking on a forced journey along the Trail of Tears.
In film
[edit]The location was used to film a segment for the Discovery Channel documentary When Dinosaurs Roamed America. That segment was set in Late Cretaceous New Mexico (Moreno Hill Formation).
References
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Dismals_Canyon_Welcome_Sign.jpg/262px-Dismals_Canyon_Welcome_Sign.jpg)
External links
[edit]- Official Site
- Description of discovery of dismalites Archived 2012-02-13 at the Wayback Machine
- Dismalites add sparkle to canyon
References
[edit]- ^ "NPS NNL Summary". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
- ^ "Dismals Canyon Website". Archived from the original on 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2008-11-23.