Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Dates Announced

Smoky Mountain synchronous firefly dates announced.
Smoky Mountain synchronous firefly dates announced.

Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Dates Announced. Great Smoky Mountains National Park synchronous firefly viewing opportunity in Elkmont will begin Friday, June 3, 2022 through Friday, June 10, 2022. The lottery for a vehicle passes can be entered at 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 thousands of visitors gather around 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. 

800 vehicle passes, 100 passes per night, will be issued through the lottery process. Lottery results will be available by Friday, May 13, 2022. Vehicle passes provide admission for parking at the Elkmont viewing location for one passenger vehicle with a maximum of seven occupants. Lottery applicants may enter two possible dates to participate in the viewing opportunity over the eight-day period. 

The lottery system uses a randomized computer drawing to select applications. 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. 

Parking passes 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 e-mail by May 13, 2022 that they were “successful” and awarded a parking pass or “unsuccessful” and not able to secure a parking pass.  

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 ride bicycles 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. 

Source – GSMNP

More Hey Smokies Features:

The Sugarlands Visitor Center Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Sugarlands Visitor Center Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park...
… feeling great at SUGARLANDS VISITOR CENTER! The Sugarlands Visitor Center is a must stop for any visit to the Great Smoky Mountains! Entrance [Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Little River Trail Closure...
Little River Trail Closure. Great Smoky Mountains National Park trail crews will be repairing Little River Trail Monday, September 11, 2023[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Elk Rut
Smoky Mountain Elk Rut...
Love is in the air for Smoky Mountain Elk. Smoky Mountain Elk Rut is on. The call of the wild echoes in the Smokies as Bull Elks seek mates.[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Look Rock Tower Closed...
Smoky Mountain Look Rock tower closed. The popular observation tower and access trail at Look Rock, located on the Foothills Parkway, will [Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Tomato Pie Recipe...
You will love HeySmokies' delicious tomato pie! Smoky Mountain Tomato Pie recipe is a favorite with the HeySmokies.com culinary crew. This s[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountains Need You
Smoky Mountains Need You...
Trail volunteers needed in the Great Smoky Mountains Smoky Mountains Need You! Volunteers are needed for Ramsey Cascades and Little Cataloo[Read More >>]
Cades Cove Car Ban
Cades Cove Car Ban...
Cades Cove car ban is under way. Cades Cove Car Ban began May 4, 2023 and lasts through September 28, 2023.  Cove visitors are encouraged to[Read More >>]
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains June 2023
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains June 2023...
Smoky Mountain synchronous fireflies are amazing! Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains June 2023. These aren’t your average backya[Read More >>]
The Cosby Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Cosby Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park...
The Cosby Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is perfect for those who are looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten path and awa[Read More >>]
10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains
10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains...
10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. Packing the 10 Essentials for Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is like your insurance [Read More >>]
Tick Safety Tips!
Tick Safety Tips!...
Tick Safety Tips! Ticks and what you need to know to stay safe! It is that time of year in the Smoky Mountains. Summertime and outdoor activitie[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Ramp Pesto Recipe
Smoky Mountain Ramp Pesto Recipe...
Smoky Mountain Ramp Pesto Recipe. Ramps, allium tricoccum, have been a Smoky Mountain secret delicacy for generations. This delicious bulb and i[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Cocaine Bear
Smoky Mountain Cocaine Bear...
Smoky Mountain Cocaine Bear on the loose in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountain officials announced the discovery of a crashed plan[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Pileated Woodpecker
Smoky Mountain Pileated Woodpecker...
The Smoky Mountain Pileated Woodpecker has a distinctive call and vibrant red markings. Smoky Mountain Pileated Woodpecker. The Pileated Woo[Read More >>]
The Big Creek Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Big Creek Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park...
Big Creek ranger district is found on the eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a small campground for 12 sites for tents onl[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Parking Passes Required...
Smoky Mountain Parking Passes Required. On March 1, 2023 Great Smoky Mountains National Park launches the ‘Park it Forward’ program requiri[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Hellbenders
Smoky Mountain Hellbenders...
Smoky Mountain Hellbenders are the largest aquatic salamanders in the national park. You may recognize the Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganien[Read More >>]
Spur Tunnel Repairs Begin
Spur Tunnel Repairs Begin...
Smoky Mountain road closures set to snarl traffic. Spur tunnel repairs begin. Northbound Spur traffic will be one lane beginning January 3 t[Read More >>]
New Year Beans And Greens Recipe
New Year Beans And Greens Recipe...
New Year Beans And Greens Recipe. What is behind the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Years day? Some folk[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Smoky Mountain Turkey Tail Mushrooms...
Smoky Mountain Turkey Tail mushrooms are always in season! Trametes versicolor (common name Turkey Tail mushroom) is a decomposing polypore[Read More >>]