North Alabama Landmark is the Best Place in the World to See This Bioluminescent Wonder

Under the thick canopy of one of the oldest forests in the United States, a rustic trail winds among giant trees, lush waterfalls, ancient mossy boulders and towering rock formations. Although the beauty of the trail by day is enchanting, it's what appears there at night that's truly magical. That's when the mossy rock walls come to life with small specs of glowing vivid blue. It's caused by a rare bioluminescent wonder and this one place in north Alabama is the best place in the world to see it!

Dismals CanyonPhoto byAdam Elliott

This unique forest and sandstone gorge is called the Dismals Canyon located in Franklin County near the small town of Phil Campbell. It's the only natural arboretum in North America and was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1975. Known locally as simply "the Dismals," it covers 85+ acres of spectacular old growth forest. In fact, it's one of the few primeval forests east of the Mississippi. The canyon floor has a breathtaking 1.5 mile hiking trail that is truly a wonder to see. Within the narrow rock walls of the Dismals Canyon is where you'll find the rare bioluminescent insect that was named after the canyon, itself: the Dismalite.

Dismals Canyon floor trailPhoto byBob Weaver (via Dismals Canyon website, used with permission)

The Dismalite, or Orfelia fultoni, is often called a glow worm - but it's actually the larvae of a fungal gnat. The damp Dismals Canyon is the perfect environment for the Dismalite. Scientists who have studied the dismalite say that there's no other place on earth where it can be seen in such large numbers as the Dismals Canyon in north Alabama. The larvae glow with the bluest light of any bioluminescent insect in nature. They generally hatch in large numbers twice a year in late April to mid May and in late September to October. Those two times are peak season for seeing the glowing wonder of the Dismalite and the canyon offers special nighttime tours to view them.

Dismalites (simulated image)Photo byA. Killian

The Dismals Canyon offers self-guided day tours during the week and guided night tours on weekends. Reservations must be made in advance for nighttime dismalite tours. Reservations can be made by phone on Sundays for the nighttime tour on the following weekend. There is an entrance fee at all times to the canyon and it is located on private property. Hours/days for self guided tours are subject to change and the canyon sometimes has to close after a storm due to fallen trees. Please check the Dismals website here before you go or call (205) 993-4559.