Great Smoky Mountains National Park Announces Dates For World-Famous Synchronous Firefly Display

One of Mother Nature's most incredible shows is back!

The dates to see the synchronous fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park perform their annual spectacle have been revealed. But experiencing it in person won't come easy.

This week, the park announced its plan to welcome visitors to see thousands of fireflies flash in unison with a limited viewing event scheduled to take place at Elkmont from Sunday, June 4 through Sunday, June 11. 

A total of 960 vehicle reservations—120 per night—will be issued through the lottery process. You can apply for a limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle pass through Recreation.gov.

The Photinus carolinus, also known as Elkmont fireflies, is one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each year, typically in the spring, the fireflies put on a synchronous light display in order to find a mate. They are only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns.

Have this experience on your bucket list? This year's application lottery opens on Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. EST and closes Monday, May 1 at 8 p.m. EST. The results of the lottery will be available by Thursday, May 11. 

All lottery applicants will be charged a $1.00 application fee. Successful applicants will automatically be awarded parking passes and charged a $24.00 reservation fee. Applications are limited to one per household per season.

Competition for the parking passes is steep, so don't delay.

Good luck!