This news story about the 2022 viewing dates for the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is based on an April 26, 2022, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
One of the most extraordinary annual spectacles in the national parks takes place in late spring in the Great Smoky Mountains.
That’s when visitors can witness synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an amazing and increasingly popular event.
Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Dates Announced for 2022
Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Friday, June 3 through Friday, June 10.
The public may apply for the limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle pass through www.recreation.gov.
The lottery opens for vehicle pass applications on Friday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. through Tuesday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. All applications, regardless of the time or date of entry, are considered equally in the pool of lottery applicants.
Every year in late May to early June, thousands of visitors gather near the popular Elkmont Campground to observe the naturally occurring phenomenon of Photinus carolinus, a firefly species that flashes synchronously.
Since 2006, access to the Elkmont area has been limited during the eight days of predicted peak activity in order to reduce traffic congestion and provide a safe viewing experience for visitors that minimizes disturbance to these unique fireflies during the peak mating period.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Lottery
A total of 800 vehicle passes, 100 passes per night, will be issued through the lottery process. Results of the lottery will be available by Friday, May 13.
Each vehicle pass provides admission for parking directly at the Elkmont viewing location for one passenger vehicle with a maximum of seven occupants.
During the application process, lottery applicants may enter two possible dates to participate in the viewing opportunity over the eight-day period.
The number of passes issued each day is based on parking capacity and the ability to safely accommodate a large number of viewers on site, while minimizing resource impacts.
Lottery applications are selected through a randomized computer draw. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1.00 application fee.
Successful applicants will automatically be awarded parking passes and a $24.00 reservation fee will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee.
The $24.00 reservation fee covers the cost of awarding the passes, on-site portable restrooms, supplies, and nightly personnel costs for managing the viewing opportunity at Elkmont.
There is a limit of one lottery application per household per season.
All lottery applicants will be notified by email by May 13 that they were either “successful” and awarded a parking pass or “unsuccessful” and not able to secure a parking pass.
Important 2022 Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates
- April 26, 2022: Firefly viewing dates announced.
- April 29, 2022: Lottery for vehicle passes opens at 10:00 a.m.
- May 3, 2022: Lottery for vehicle passes closes at 10:00 a.m.
- May 13, 2022: All lottery applicants will be notified if their application was successful or unsuccessful.
- June 3 – June 10, 2022: Annual Great Smoky Mountains Firefly Viewing Opportunity
Restrictions During Peak Synchronous Fireflies Viewing Period
During the viewing period, access to Elkmont is restricted after 4:00 p.m. to passenger vehicles with a parking pass, registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground, or backcountry campers with a valid permit.
Visitors are not allowed to walk or bike on the Elkmont entrance road or Jakes Creek Road after 4:00 p.m. due to safety concerns.
Overnight parking at Little River Trailhead, Jakes Creek Trailhead, or the Appalachian Clubhouse is not allowed without a valid backcountry permit for backcountry campsites associated with these trailheads.
More Information
Visitors can find more information and enter the Great Smoky Mountains synchronous fireflies lottery on www.recreation.gov.
For more information about the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, please visit the park website.