Tips for Viewing the Smoky Mountain Fireflies- The Adventuring Millennial

Southeast Asia and Tenessee have something very unique in common. They are part of a short list of places where you can see synchronous fireflies. Synchronous fireflies? Basically, they are a group of fireflies that can synchronize their light flashes together. In Southeast Asia, the fireflies completely turn their lights on and off at the same time. But in Tennessee, the flashes occur in a wave.

Growing up an hour from the Smoky Mountains National Park, I frequently heard about the fireflies. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I experienced this natural phenom for the first time. I’ve been back multiple times and I am always awed by the performance.

Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like the firefly display. Watching them almost feels like you are in a trance. This is a sight that really needs to be seen to be believed. If you are ready to learn more about this incredible occurrence, read on. This post will tell you everything you need to know about the Smoky Mountain fireflies.

What are they?

So what exactly are synchronous fireflies? Well, there are actually a few different species that can sync up their lights. But in the Smokies, the famous bugs are the Photinus carolinus. Here is a great article if you want more scientific details.

Basically, the fireflies (or lightning bugs) are the same as the bugs you might see flying around your backyard. They are beetles that live for 1-2 years as larvae before maturing into adults. But once they are adults they only live for about 21 days. YOLO, right? Or I guess YOLF21D…

What makes them so special?

You may have seen fireflies before. The flashes of light are really nice and create a great ambiance for a summer evening. But usually, the light flashes are random. They occur sporadically and are not related to the other flashes around them. What sets the synchronous fireflies apart is that they occur together, in a pattern.

So try to picture it. I know it’s difficult, I really didn’t know what to expect until I saw the display for the first time. Basically, all the fireflies will be dark at the same time. And then suddenly you will see a wave of light. And then it will be completely dark again. It is magical, unique, and really unlike anything else in the world.

What really sets these fireflies apart is that you can’t find another display like this anywhere else. Yes, there are a few pockets of synchronized fireflies throughout the Southern US. But due to habitat loss and light pollution, you can’t see a show this impressive outside of the Smokies. And although synchronized fireflies are more common in Southeast Asia, their display is different from the Smoky Mountain fireflies. In Asia, the lights turn on and off together, almost as one unit. Their display does not occur in a wave as it does in Tennessee.

Where exactly can you find them?

So synchronous fireflies are very rare. As we mentioned before, you can see a variety of these fireflies in parts of Southeast Asia. In the US, they can be found in Pennsylavania, South Carolina, and Tennessee. I am focusing on the Tennessee Smoky Mountain fireflies because they are the most well know and sought after.

Elkmont is the best area in the Smokies to view the display. Each year, thousands of visitors will try to view this incredible sight. Be prepared, it is very competitive and challenging to get to this event. But more on that later.

When can you see the fireflies?

Ok, so this can get a bit tricky. The light display is related to the firefly mating season. But the mating season is dependant on a variety of environmental factors (like how cold the winter was and how wet the soil is). The season only lasts for about two weeks and the start date varies from year to year.

The fireflies also reach a “peak” when the display is the most impressive. This has been seen anywhere from the 3rd week of May to the 3rd week of June. So basically, nature is going to do its nature thing. Humans can’t pinpoint the exact best time to see this mating ritual. But maybe you will get lucky and have an incredible show. I’ve seen the fireflies 3 times and I was blown away each time. My most recent trip was in early June after a rainstorm. The NPS website warned that the display might not be as impressive on a wet evening, but this was the best one I had seen. So if you score tickets, GO! Even if it’s been rainy or cold. It’s worth it to at least try to see this amazing display.

How do you see the fireflies?

So speaking of tickets, how the heck do you see these fireflies? I mentioned earlier that it is very competitive to get a ticket for the fireflies. Don’t stress. It’s not impossible or expensive. You just need to do some planning.

During the firefly weeks, the roads into Elkmont are closed to car and foot traffic. To reach the viewing site, you will need to park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and take a trolley. Ok, so that actually sounds a little easier than it really is. A limited amount of parking passes are available for each night. In 2017, the NPS first started a lottery system for the parking pass (these fireflies are a huge freaking deal). In order to get one of these passes, you will need to select 2 dates you could attend and enter the lottery through their website. Winners will be notified and required to pay a $20 fee. There is an additional $2 fee per person to ride the trolley.

I know. It sounds complicated. But just plan ahead and watch the NPS website for updates. In 2018 the firefly dates were announced on April 24, 2018. The lottery was open from April 27-April 30 and the results were announced on May 9, 2018. Just go for it and hope for the best!

What else do you need to know?

Alright so if (when!) you win the lottery, there are a few things you might need to know before going to the mountains. You are going to need to bring everything with you. There’s really nowhere to buy supplies. So pack some snacks, water, whatever. Bring a camping chair to sit on. It will be pitch dark when you are leaving, so you will probably want to bring a flashlight. But, be polite with your light. You could easily disturb other viewer’s night vision. Cover your flashlight with red cellophane and only point it at the ground.

Just make sure you are being smart and safe! Pack out your trash, don’t be loud or obnoxious with your light, but be careful when you are walking on the trails at night. Most of all- have fun! This really is an incredible experience.

Excited to see some fireflies? I hope that helped answer any questions you had about this amazing natural phenom. If you have any additional questions or concerns just leave them in the comments and I would be happy to answer them.