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Hiking the canyon floor
A 1.5 mile hiking trail on the canyon floor follows a gurgling little stream known as "Dismals Branch". The trail meanders through a pristine wilderness filled with ferns and giant trees, It passes below huge bluffs that make up the canyon walls, and - inside "Witches Cavern" - it follows a strange and beautiful labyrinth of moss and fern covered boulders where the largest colony of Dismalites resides.
Summertime finds Dismals Canyon cool and inviting. The temperature on the canyon floor runs some 14 degrees below Alabama's summer average. There are no mosquitoes, flies or poison oak.
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Dismalites
Past twilight the canyon lights up with tiny creatures we call Dismalites.
Experience the Dismalites with guided night tours available durring the summer.
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EXPLORE the mysterious sanctuaries where Chickasaw Indians held secret rituals and outlaws, the likes of Jesse James and Aaron Burr, hid among the shadows in one of America's oldest primeval forests.
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SWIM in a natural pool carved out of solid rock by the rushing waters of Dismals Branch.
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SHOP at the Old Country Store in an atmosphere as old as the dust between the floorboards. Find glistening jars of candy, Indian wares, gifts, postcards and food for hungry campers.
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Bear Creek Canoe Run: Bear Creek is 26 miles of the best canoeing in Alabama. Located in Hackleburg, you'll enjoy canoeing past sandy beaches and waterfalls. The creek is open for canoeing from April to September. For more information, send an inquiry to: P.O. Box 26766/Birmingham, AL/35260.
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Sipsey Wilderness: Located about 10 miles east of Dismals Canyon in Bankhead National Forest. The Sipsey Wilderness area is one of only two designated wilderness areas in the state of Alabama (Cheaha Wilderness being the other). The Sipsey Wilderness covers approximately 25,000 acres, making it the third largest East of the Mississippi River.
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Bankhead National Forest: Located in Double Springs, this national forest has four separate recreation areas. You can boat, fish, camp, picnic, swim and hike at Bankhead. For more information, visit www.alenvironmentalcouncil.org.
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Rock Bridge Canyon: Located in Hodges, the canyon is home to natural-bridge waterfalls, rock formations, wildflowers, trails and greenery. For more information, call 205-935-3750. |
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To make reservations for cabins or camping, call
(205) 993-4559
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