02 May Park Announces Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates for 2022
Great Smoky Mountains National Park just announced that they will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Friday, June 3 through Friday, June 10 2022.
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.
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., 2022
The Synchronous Fireflies Event is held every year in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) at Elkmont Campground.
There is a short ceremony when the Synchronous Fireflies begin their display followed by an hour of viewing.
Fireflies (also called lightning bugs) are classified as beetles. A large percentage of their lifecycle is spent in the larval stage (1-2 years), they feed on snails, worms, and smaller insects in the leaf mass on the forest floor. Once they mature into the adult form, they only live for about 3-4 weeks and many do not feed.
Firefly flash patterns are part of their ongoing mating display. Each species has a static pattern that helps male and female individuals recognize and find each other across small distances. Most species produce a greenish-yellow light, but others have more of a blue or white light. Males typically flash while they are flying, and females, which are usually stationary, flash in response.
Searching for a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Synchronous Firefly vacation? Check out our available Gatlinburg Cabins here.