Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery, Tuscumbia

4.2

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Cemetery · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot

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The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is a specialized and restricted pet cemetery and memorial in rural Colbert County, Alabama, US. It is reserved specifically for the burials of coon dogs. The cemetery was established by Key Underwood on September 4, 1937. Underwood buried his own dog there, choosing the spot, previously a popular hunting camp where "Troop" did 15 years of service. As of August 2014, more than 300 dogs were buried in the graveyard.

Criteria for burial are fairly well established, albeit being subject to interpretation and application. Only bona fide "coonhounds" are to be buried there. The exact measure of that standard depends on breeding, experience and performance; and seemingly depends on who and when the tale is told and the determination made.

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Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

134 reviews

Google

4.6

By margarethV476OA

Having taught the novel, "Where the Red Fern Grows", for years, I had to visit the coon dog cemetery. Though it's pretty much off-the-grid, our GPS got us there, but we were there ahead of the final..... more

Having taught the novel, "Where the Red Fern Grows", for years, I had to visit the coon dog cemetery. Though it's pretty much off-the-grid, our GPS got us there, but we were there ahead of the final..... more »
By Explorer21265841121

Absolutely amazing, a must see for dog lovers! A great outing for young teens and adults. This is the only coon dog cemetery in the world.

Absolutely amazing, a must see for dog lovers! A great outing for young teens and adults. This is the only coon dog cemetery in the world. more »
By cordyroy

As the lady at the tourist office said, "It's out in the middle of nothin'" but worth the drive. A very touching tribute to scores of coon dogs, both champions and not. Some are elaborate and others..... more

As the lady at the tourist office said, "It's out in the middle of nothin'" but worth the drive. A very touching tribute to scores of coon dogs, both champions and not. Some are elaborate and others..... more »

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Google

By Cindy Ray

If you are a pet person you will love this place. We were staying at Joe Wheeler state park and drove over, a little over an hour drive and so worth it. Big, fancy head markers or simple sticks with the dog’s collar on it, dogs from as far away as Michigan are buried there. And each grave has a small bouquet of flowers…the simplest grave with just a rock marker had the same bouquet as the expensive marble headstones. So sweet! Go there!!

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By Brittney Jones

Such an eerie place at night, but still neat to see something so unique. It's a pretty good drive from the highway...about 4-5 miles. It's located in a very beautiful area of Alabama, too. Surrounded by hills, trees, and wildlife. I was disappointed one of the statues had been vandalized, but it's still a sight worth seeing.

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By Brian Samuell

What a great tribute to some of man's best friends. Set way out in the hills this quiet memorial to full purebred coon dogs displays the love the owners had for their friends. This roadside attraction has an outbuilding on a concrete base as well as benches to sit on to take in the peacefulness. Each grave has a marker and some colorful plastic flowers that spread out over the grounds making it a beautiful sight. There is a guestbook to sign and most days it seems that a few visits are made.

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By Lynn Wray Dillard (Alabama Creeks)

Anyone with a love for dogs will find this place interesting. But don't expect you can bury "FiFi" the poodle here. This is hollowed ground for Coon Dogs only. I love bringing out-of-state visitors here. They never fail to really enjoy the trip to this special spot and are impressed with the creativity and beauty of the various head stones. And it doesn't cost a dime! There is no staff or host here. It is very isolated. No facilities except an old time "out house" which may or may not have paper but will certainly have a stink.

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By Greg Scheffel

Interesting Place. The day we visited a family was having a picnic here. That's real love for a coon dog. They said that several of their champion dogs were buried there. One of the kids pointed out their grave sites. We spent maybe 20min taking pictures and admiring peoples love for their dogs.

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