Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Lottery

Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Lottery. Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host its annual  viewing opportunity at Elkmont from May 29-June 5. 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.  

Each year, in late spring, hundreds of visitors gather at Elkmont to witness the Photinus carolinus phenomenon, a firefly species known for its synchronous flashing behavior. The National Park Service has limits access to the Elkmont area during an eight-day period of predicted peak firefly activity. This approach helps to alleviate traffic congestion, ensureing a safe viewing experience for visitors.

960 vehicle reservations, 120 per night, will be issued via 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 safety concerns.

Lottery applicants can choose two potential dates to participate in the viewing opportunity. Selections are made using a randomized computer drawing. 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 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 if their application was successful or not. 

Source: GSMNP