Every year, in late May or early June, hundreds of visitors gather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to witness the mesmerizing phenomenon of Photinus carolinus, a firefly species known for its synchronous flashing behavior.
The park will host its annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont from May 29 to June 5, according to a park release. In order to attend, hopeful visitors must enter 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.
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.
What is the synchronous firefly event?
Since 2006, the National Park Service has limited access to the Elkmont area during an eight-day period of predicted peak firefly activity. According to the park, this approach helps to alleviate traffic congestion, ensures a safe viewing experience for visitors and minimizes disturbances to the fireflies during their mating period.
A total of 960 vehicle reservations, 120 per night, will be issued through the lottery process.
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.
