Every year in the Great Smoky Mountains, a rare natural phenomenon draws thousands of hopeful visitors: the synchronized light show of fireflies known as Photinus carolinus. These fireflies don’t just blink randomly—they flash in unison, creating waves of light across the forest in a spectacle unlike anything else in nature. But to witness it, you’ll need to plan ahead—and win a spot through a special lottery.
Synchronous fireflies put orchestra to shame
If you’re anything like us, when you think of fireflies, you probably think of chasing the little bugs across a field, capturing them in a canning jar. They blink, yes indeed, and it’s a captivating sight. But imagine swarms of these night-fliers, all blinking at the same time. Not just “a firefly here, a firefly there,” but hundreds, thousands, all blinking simultaneously. It’s a feat of genius, and design, enough to put the New York Philharmonic to shame.
Why the orchestrated flush of flashing? One idea is that male fireflies flash together in sync to get the attention of females, like starting a kind of light-based conversation. A study found that the females of this species only respond when there’s enough flashing happening around them. Once the forest lights up with enough male flashes, the much dimmer females reply during the quiet, dark pause between the flashes.
The species Photinus carolinus has a unique flash pattern: each male gives off five to eight quick flashes, then waits about eight seconds in darkness before repeating. At first, the flashing may seem random, but as more males join in, they start to sync up their rhythm, creating a stunning, wave-like show of light across the forest.
Hurry, you can see these, but the lottery is short-lived
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host its annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont from May 29 – June 5. The public can apply for this opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle reservation through recreation.gov. The lottery for reservation applications opens on Friday, May 2, at 10 a.m. EDT and closes on Monday, May 5 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. This lottery system ensures that all applicants have an equal chance of securing a reservation.
Every year, in late May or early June, hundreds of visitors gather near Elkmont to witness the mesmerizing phenomenon of Photinus carolinus, a firefly species known for its synchronous flashing behavior. Since 2006, the National Park Service has limited access to the Elkmont area during an eight-day period of predicted peak firefly activity. This approach helps to alleviate traffic congestion, ensures a safe viewing experience for visitors and minimizes disturbances to these remarkable synchronous fireflies and their ecosystem during their mating period.
A total of 960 vehicle reservations, 120 per night, will be issued through the lottery process. Each reservation allows one vehicle with a maximum of seven occupants to park at the Elkmont viewing location. The number of daily reservations is based on parking capacity and the ability to safely accommodate a large number of viewers on site while minimizing resource impacts.
Pick your dates for synchronous fireflies symphony
Lottery applicants may choose two potential dates to participate in the viewing opportunity during the eight-day period. Applicants will be selected using a randomized computer drawing. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1 application fee. Successful applicants will automatically be given reservations, and a $29 reservation fee will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee. The $29 fee covers the cost of awarding the reservation, on-site portable restrooms, supplies and nightly personnel costs for managing the viewing opportunity.
Reservations to see the synchronous fireflies are non-refundable, non-transferable, and good only for the date issued. There is a limit of one lottery application per household per season. All lottery applicants will be notified by email by May 13 if their application was successful or not.
During the viewing period, access to Elkmont is restricted after 12 p.m. to passenger vehicles with a reservation and registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground. Overnight parking at Little River Trailhead, Jakes Creek Trailhead or the Appalachian Clubhouse is not allowed during this eight-day period.
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RVT1207b
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Had never heard of this until now. Maybe we’ll try to see this next year. Have a great day and safe travels!