“Beautiful place!! We had a great day walking through the canyon!!”
“Amazing stunning and absolutely beautiful! Camping was great and will definitely be booking Sleeping Water next trip.”
“Not just a National Natural Landmark, - this place is, hands down, a real national treasure. Absolutely stunning and a must visit!”
“One of the best places to relax and disconnect!”
“A great place to bring your whole family, lots of fun places to hike around and see. If you have young kids I highly recommend”
“Absolutely loved this hidden gem. Did the day hike and came back for the night tour. Amazing!”
“Beautiful place to go walk & visit.”
“Went as a kid and loved it. Returned as a dad and we all loved it. It’s a trek though. Be prepared to get you shoes wet and bring a flashlight for the caves.”
“Best hike in north Alabama”
“Beautiful! Great break during our road trip. The kids loved it.”
“Beautiful and relaxing scenery. Very nice weekend trip. Will definitely be back.”
“Awesome hike!!”
“Amazing trails! It’s 6 of us in my family. We all enjoyed it from 2 year old and up. Just beautiful canyon!! Will be back.”
“We had a great time!!!”
“There are three places on this planet that both of my kids like: grandma’s house, Disney World, and Dismals Canyon. The Sleeping Water campsite is probably the best individual site in the state, the staff is awesome, the general store is fantastic, the food at the soda fountain is delicious (try the slugburger!) and you won’t see anything like the Dismalites anywhere else in the region.”
“We had a blast and we absolutely loved it. It’s such a beautiful place!”
“Great place for kids to explore and swim. Easy trails for the whole family.”
“Great place to hike and experience an American treasure.”
“Even though there were lots of people when we went, it was still peaceful. The waterfalls were beautiful.”
“Love this place! We go every year and have also stayed in their beautiful cabins! Highly recommend.”
“The canyon trail is fun. It’s important to follow the paper guide. A valuable history lesson and phenomenal scenery.”
“We live in the Birmingham area, so Dismals Canyon is close enough for a day trip (though this is the first time we have ever been). We took our family of 6 (including our 4 yr old). Others were there with babies in harnesses. It is definitely family friendly outdoors activity. HOWEVER this is an outdoors experience and all that comes with it. The only bathroom on the property for guests is right inside the gate. Go before your hike! Also, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to get a little dirty. The website helps with keeping registration as quick as possible and you can print off a very limited detail map with the popular stops throughout the canyon. When we were waiting in line to pay for our registration, others in line were asking to take pictures of our map. There is a lot of stairs to get down to the canyon floor and natural steps as well as manmade steps throughout the canyon. There are some very slippery spots on some trails and you must sign a waiver to enter. It’s nature... You could fall, get bitten by snakes, or a million other things. Though, we didn’t see anything of the sort ot have any issues on our trip. Everyone had a great time. Took lots of pictures of the natural surroundings that are untouched by fire or axe. And the paper that accompanies the map gives some history about the stops throughout the canyon. The waterfalls were fun to look at and just the size of some of the boulders were amazing. There were foot bridges and some small wooden bridges to walk across. Now the cons... I already mentioned the bathroom situation. So if you are still reading I am sure these won’t be deal breakers... There are no picnics allowed in the canyon. So if you get hungry you have to stop in at the country store and get something there. They have a lot of concession stand food like burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken fingers, fries, chips, etc. We had all of the aforementioned items and they were all really good. Also, a pro for some, but could be a con if you’re a smoker: There is no smoking on the property. You can walk outside the gate at the front to get a quick drag if you want to smoke before/after your hike. There are some moderately challenging spots on the trails, but there are usually some easier paths if you just look for them. We look forward to going back and staying in the cabins. Also, the night tours were all booked so we did not get the opportunity to see one of the biggest attractions to the canyon. So we look forward to coming back for that as well. All in all, it was a great trip and the kids (who are normally more of an air conditioning and video game group) had a blast. Definitely recommend for a fun family outdoors day.”
“Very nice scenery, and a unique experience from any I’ve had before. It was a little long of a wait to get in due to everyone having to sign a waiver first and a lot of traffic. But the traffic is a sign of how well others like it too I assume.”
“Gorgeous place. Cabins age rustic and great. Canyon is unbelievable. Myst see.”
“Beautiful place to hike”
“Wow, it’s like another world. So beautiful. Can’t wait to come back in the summer to play the water.”
“Need to camp and explore during the day. I came here in 2016 for a night tour and was fascinated. A true natural beauty here in our gorgeous state of Alabama.”
“This is defintely a must if you enjoy the outdoors, interesting landscapes, streams and waterfalls. The hike is farely easy, although the water and mossy areas can lead to a wet and/or dirty return trek. Photo-ops galor! The price of admission is a bit much, but still worth it. The onsite diner is pretty good too, esp. after a day of exploring. Give yourself 2-3 hours to make the 1.5 mi trek (round trip). Read up on the history and specific sites beforehand or while hiking. There’s a lot of interesting stuff to see.”
“Great place! Showed up at last minute, and they let us go ahead with the hike bc it was my spouse’s birthday. Great people awesome views!”
“One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.. Me and my family had a great time.”
“My daughter went here to hike. She absolutely loved it, and will most likely go back in the future.”
“Loved it. This was a great outdoor experience. We even took our 4yr old who had little trouble here and there but nothing a little help couldn’t overcome.”
“This place is great! You can hike the canyon in one day, no problem; however, I highly recommend staying at least one night to go on the night tour to see the dismalites, when you turn off all the flashlights, it looks like a starry sky. Fantastic!”
“Very nice experience!”
“Great place to go! Been going there for over 50 years.”
“Dismals Canyon is a beautiful treasure of Alabama. It has vistas that are quite unique, and a quietness that is unmatched. We stayed in the cabins for three nights and loved every minute. We explored the canyons several times over and found something new every time.”
“My absolute favorite natural attraction in Alabama! The night tour for the gloworms was very informative and cool.”
“One of the most unique places in Alabama. It’s a very fun place to cool off in the summer and it is a photographers playground. Easy short hike with huge rock formations and secret passageways.”
“Absolutely beautiful! I want to go back at night and see the dismalites.”
“Truly a beautiful and unique experience. I would suggest a bit of publicity as I’ve lived in Alabama most of my life and had never heard of it until recently.”
“An absolutely beautiful and hidden gem of Alabama! It is an absolute must stop to see on your travels through Alabama. They have a large gift shop with unique gifts and a HUGE waterfall to see as well as bioluminescent worms if you come at the right time! It’s absolutely stunning and I’m so glad I stopped and took the venture down into the canyon to see all the cool parts of nature!”
“Extremely cool place to take a day or night hike. Beautiful scenery with pools, waterfalls, and streams. Overhead canopy and forest provides tons of shade and makes the canyon floor cooler. The restaurant and shop provide cool souvenirs and refreshments as you leave.”
“Awesome trip there! It was absolutely beautiful”
“Easy hike. Really pretty place. I can’t wait to return.”
“Such a beautiful place! Everyone should visit this park at least once in a lifetime.”
“Wonderful escape in natural beauty! The cabins are well appointed and very comfortable. Trails were fine, despite seeing others complain. No problem for a 220 pound desk jockey who stands five foot three inches! Hate to see parents allowing their children to drop trash, or worse yet, deface trees and moss, in which the dismalites live. Magical place and an Alabama treasure.”
“Such a pretty place!”
“Beautiful place with lots to see!”
“We loved this. It was really pretty, and great customer service at the store and the restaurant. We took our youth and they loved it.”
“Beautiful land. Great camping accommodations. Nice warm atmosphere at the lodge. Tour guides are personable and knowledgeable. Wild Hare rates are very affordable. Many great memories here.”
“Very well maintained park and an awesome way to get out and enjoy nature!”
“Such a Beautiful Place to Hike!! The Trails are as you’ve stepped back in Time!!”
“Six of us went and we had an awesome time! We were glad that we had to go during the day because it is beautiful! We didn’t know that we had to buy tickets for the night tour a week in advance. That’s okay, it means that we have to go back next week!”
“Highly recommended to outdoor lovers but be prepared for a lot of walking.”
“If you’re looking for a great little day trip, this is the place to go. Just be prepared for a great hike!”
“Wow what a Adventure we had!”
“A true Alabama treasure! Make sure to tour during day and book a time for the night tour with local biologist. Fascinating! I came back and told so many people about it.”
“Good family fun”
“Awsome trail through the canyon. Great time.”
“Beautiful place / hermoso lugar histórico”
“Great place to take your family and hike.”
“An Alabama gem!”
“Beautiful place”
“We stayed in the cabins on a stormy Friday & Saturday night. The cabins are very cozy & the queen beds are comfortable. There is a cell booster & direct tv but don’t expect to get much service even right next to the booster. It was nice to “disconnect” for the weekend. There are some games & books provided so the kids had a great time playing card games. The metal roof made for great sleep during the stormy night. At one point lighting hit close to our cabin & maintenance came right up as soon as we called to fix the tripped breaker & check on everything. Everyone we encountered working there was friendly & eager to help. The canyon hike was absolutely gorgeous. The trails can be precarious at times & you will have to walk through water half way through so make sure to bring good sandals or tennis shoes with traction & that you don’t mind getting wet. It’s only about 2 miles & fairly easy to navigate, not sure about elderly, but our kids were 7-12 & they went through fine. The thick moss, clear water & canopy of trees makes the air nice & cool. Because of the dismalites, you don’t have to worry about getting bit by mosquitos which is nice. It started raining during both our night & day tours but we barely felt it because of the thick canopy of trees & canyon coverings. The night tour was about 30 min long & our tour guide Brittney was very friendly & knowledgeable. The adults & kids all loved it & the “glow worms” were so beautiful. Highly recommended- just remember to book ahead of time. The cafe was so cute & service was friendly- be patient if it’s busy because there is usually only one cook preparing food. She did a great job & the burgers are fantastic. The kids loved the milkshakes & ice cream counter! The porch area outside the gift shop is brand new & very nice. The entire place has a soothing, relaxing feel to it. So despite all the rain, we had an amazing time & got to enjoy nature. This is truly a hidden gem in Alabama. We felt right at home & can’t wait to go back.”
“Beautiful place. The waterfall’s and scenery is breathtaking. They have camping and cabin’s. Great for the outdoor person. Will be going back.”
“What an amazing experience for a family hike. Be certain to wear good hiking shoes or boots.”
“Good time, will go back, great adventure time for kids.”
“Dismals Canyon is a nice place to visit! The staff is very friendly, the store is inviting and the experience is adventurous. As you descend into the Canyon, the sound of rushing water welcomes you. The beauty of Rainbow Falls starts you on your journey to what feels like an enchanted forest. Every twisted tree root wrapped around a moss covered boulder tells a story and every path invites you to explore deeper. The trails are not marked and sometimes seem to disappear or come to an abrupt end so a sense of curiosity and the desire to explore beyond what the eye can see is a must for those wanting to enjoy the adventure. It’s almost like a maze. Some trails are hidden under foliage or behind a boulder which adds to the mystery. This is the perfect place for those wanting to explore nature without the worries of getting lost. It is not a place for the hardcore adventure seekers looking for an edge. The trails are pretty simple to hike with a few places that make you stop and slow down either because it is a little tricky to navigate or because it is so beautiful that you want to stop and take it all in. If you love nature and have a sense of adventure, Dismals Canyon is a worth checking out at least once.”
“Oh my goodness, loved this place! It’s a very short hike, but there are rocks and roots to be careful of. Wear good shoes and enjoy!! I know I did! :-)”
“This place is amazing for a first date”
“This is a must see if you enjoy unique beautiful nature! When on the trail you feel like you are in a far away place! It is So beautiful with the large rocks, caves, creek and trees. The biggest leaves on a tree we’ve ever seen! We also enjoyed a good lunch at the cafe after our hike!”
“A unique place for hiking. Beautiful surroundings”
“I can’t wait to go again. Nice easy hike.”
“I’ve been going here since I was born, and this is my absolute favorite place I’ve ever been to. It’s always been my getaway from any and everything. I plan on bringing my entire in-law family this summer, plus my family! They’ve never been there before and I just cannot wait to show them all of my favorite spots in the canyon!! I always loved how they let you explore on your own. I found a ton of spots that nobody ever goes to that are just stunning, and I cannot wait to show these spots off to my children!! The plant and animal life here just keeps me speechless every time I am there. I love swimming under the falls, seeing the beautiful creeks and streams, feeling the water drip off of the caves onto my skin, navigating my way through the caves, visiting the amazing glow worms, searching the country store for their coolest items, and just so much more!! This is my all time favorite place that I’ve ever been to, and I will continue visiting every time it gets warm!!”
“This place is so special. Magical. Quirky. Waterfall campsites. Really love it !”
“Alabama is such a beautiful place and that beauty shines here. Fantastic”
“Great place for a short adventure! They have made many improvements to the facilities and the canyon is beautiful.”
“This place is amazing for a light hike! The store is really cool!”
“Just plain awesome!”
“Great walk through some awesome rocks and riverways. Went on a rainy day and added even more atmosphere to the place.”
“Fun place to go. I brought my kids. But would love to go back without them. Beautiful scenic trails. Some of it was hard to maneuver so good comfy shoes are a must.”
“One of Nature’s most beautiful places. People are friendly, food was good and family oriented. Will go back again!”
“We took the family for the night tour and it was great!”
“Great place to visit. We took our 8 and 5 yr olds and had a good time on the trail.”
“This place is a treasure. There are so many wonderful sites within 1.5 mile loop”
“Amazing! Gorgeous and very knowledgeable staff.”
“Absolutely beautiful!”
“This place is incredible! Worth the drive to spend a few hours here. Great burgers too.”
“Hot, but fun. Loved the cafe and store.”
“Love this place! It was very beautiful and a lot of fun!”
“Nice place to visit very unique.”
“Cant wait to go again! We went during the day. All was beautiful. Nice walk, too!”
“Great place to visit no smoking good spots for swimming to cool off good food an gift shop”
“We had a great time at the canyon. Our group ranged from 70 years old down to 4 years old and everyone was able to go pretty much everywhere.”
“Very nice.cool on a hot summer day!”
“Enjoyed the 1.2 mile loop thru Dismals Canyon on a very relaxing and perfect weather day. Me, my wife and our 2 golden doodles enjoyed the beautiful canyon settings, the cool temperatures, the peacefulness of area and the dogs enjoyed the fresh streams where they could trounce around and also drink the cool waters. The pleasant surprise/ reward at the end was a cool drink and a great meal from the cafe. The food & the hospitality were great!”