Exactly How to See the Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies

Picture thousands of tiny green and yellow lights flashing together in perfect unison, illuminating the dark forest with pops of color. This is what it’s like to experience the spectacular synchronous fireflies event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Since this is likely on your bucket list – as it should be – you’re probably wondering “how can I see this for myself?!”

Well, as someone who volunteers for and attends the Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies event every year, I am here to help you plan your trip!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to see the synchronous fireflies in the Smokies, including how the lottery works, when and how to apply, when and where the event takes place, the best places to watch the show, and what the full experience is like from beginning to end.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

Exactly How to See The Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies

What Are Synchronous Fireflies?

First, did you know fireflies (or lightning bugs, for all you Midwesterners haha) are actually beetles?! I never knew that!

But synchronous fireflies aren’t the ones you see flashing all over the Midwest.

Synchronous fireflies are a special species of fireflies that flash synchronously as part of their mating display. They are one of only a couple of species in North America that do this!

Just like other firefly species, their abdomens light up from a phenomenon known as bioluminescence, but unlike other firefly species, the synchronous fireflies flash in unison during their mating season.

When and Where Is the Fireflies Display?

The synchronous firefly’s mating display occurs for about 2-3 weeks every year in the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The timing is based on temperature and soil moisture, but peak mating display is usually in late May or early June.

Though they can be spotted in other spots in Elkmont, the synchronous fireflies display commonly occurs on the Jake’s Creek and Little River Trails.

In the display, the fireflies flash brightly in unison with their bioluminescent, greenish-yellow glow. The males flash in unison to alert the females, who are typically lower on the forest floor, that they’re nearby and “one of their kind.”

The synchronous firefly’s flash pattern is a series of 5-8 flashes followed by an 8-10-second pause.

So at peak mating season, starting around 9 PM and ending around 11 PM, you’ll see the magical light show in the forest.

As more males start joining in and synchronizing their display, the forest quivers with thousands of flashing lights. It’s truly mesmerizing!

You might even see blue ghosts flashing a bluish light along with them. We saw them distinctly last year!

How to Attend the Synchronous Fireflies Event

In order to attend the official synchronous fireflies event, you’ll need to apply and win the tough lottery system. (If you don’t win, don’t worry – I’ll share other ways you can still see them. Or you can jump to that blog post right now.)

The application process for attending the synchronous fireflies event in the Smokies is a randomized lottery. Basically, you can apply anytime during the application window, and once it closes, winners are selected at random.

In the spring, usually mid to late April, Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff will announce a series of important dates:

• Lottery open date – when the application window opens
• Lottery close date – when the application window closes
• Lottery results date – all lottery applicants will be notified if their application was successful/unsuccessful
• Official fireflies event viewing dates – usually 8 days in late May or early June

How to Apply For the Fireflies Lottery

As I mentioned above, the park service usually makes an announcement in mid to late April regarding the official firefly viewing dates for that year.

The reason it takes so long is that the entomologists are studying the patterns of these fireflies to predict when they think they’ll mate. Things like temperature and soil moisture affect the dates. They do their best to determine when they think they’ll be mating!

A few days after the announcement, the lottery applications will open on recreation.gov.

The lottery application window typically lasts only a few days, and since winners are randomly chosen at the end, it doesn’t matter what day of the application window you apply on.

Here’s what to expect during the application:

• You will choose two dates that you would like to attend – your preferred choice and an alternate choice.
• You will be charged a $1 application fee. This fee applies whether or not you win. You will not be refunded this amount even if you aren’t selected.

NOTE: There is a limit of one lottery application per household per season.

Apply here!! >>> Recreation.Gov

How Winners Are Chosen + What Happens Next

Winners are chosen by a randomized computer drawing.

If you are successful, you will automatically be given reservations and a parking pass.

A $29.00 reservation fee will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee. This fee covers the cost of awarding the reservation, as well as on-site portable restrooms, supplies, and nightly personnel costs for managing the viewing opportunity.

Your reservation is non-refundable, non-transferable, and only good for the date issued.

And don’t worry: you will be sent an email with instructions on when and where to go!

If you are unsuccessful, you will still be notified, but you won’t be awarded a parking pass. And remember, you won’t be given your $1 application back. Consider it your donation to the park!

Who’s Allowed Into The Event?

You might be thinking that only those who won the lottery and have vehicle permits can enter the synchronous fireflies event. Well, you’re kind of right, kind of wrong. Let me explain!

To enter the synchronous fireflies event, you must have one of the following:

IMPORTANT: Overnight parking is no longer allowed at Little River Trailhead, Jake’s Creek Trailhead, or the Appalachian Clubhouse, even with a valid backcountry permit for backcountry campsites associated with these trailheads.

READ NEXT: 3 Ways to See the Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies WITHOUT a Permit!

The Synchronous Fireflies Experience

Ahh, this is what you’ve all been waiting for, right?! What’s it like to attend this bucket list event? Well, as someone who’s volunteered for and attended this event for the past three years, allow me to tell you!

Getting In – Directions & Parking

On your vehicle reservation/permit, you will be given a start and end time at which you can arrive. Make sure to arrive during those hours because you will not be allowed to enter the area after the parking window has closed.

You will proceed to the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Here are some directions on how to get there:

From Sugarlands Visitor Center (right outside of Gatlinburg), head about 5 miles until you see a sign for Elkmont Campground. Turn left onto that road – Elkmont Road.

Proceed about a mile and a half until you get to a fork. The road splits to the campground (and campground office) on the right and to the hiking trails and the fireflies event on the left. Go left! (You’ll know where you’re supposed to go because there will be signs and a large tent with staff beside/beneath it).

At the entrance station, you must present your vehicle reservation/pass and photo ID that matches the name on the reservation. Each vehicle is allowed to have a maximum of seven people.

Once you make it past the entrance station, you will be directed to one of the parking areas. There is parking available at the Little River Trail, Jake’s Creek Trail, Appalachian Clubhouse, and along the exit road.

Staff will direct you to the lot you are supposed to park in.

My recommendation would be to arrive as early as possible to secure a closer parking spot!

Visitors who arrive first will get access to the parking spaces that are closest to the trailheads, while those who arrive last will have to park along the exit road and walk about a quarter to half a mile to the trailheads.

REMEMBER: All visitors must display a parking pass on their vehicle’s dashboard when visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park! You can read more about that here.

What To Do Before Dark

The fireflies don’t come out until around 9:00 or 9:30 PM, so if you arrive closer to 6 or 7 PM, you’ll need something to pass the time!

I’d highly encourage you to walk around and explore the Elkmont area and hiking trails! Lucky for you, there’s plenty to keep you busy while you wait for the fireflies.

Explore Daisy Town

Daisy Town was once a vacation resort for prominent men from the Knoxville area. Today, these cabins have been renovated and restored to allow visitors to walk through them.

These cabins are conveniently located between Jake’s Creek parking area and the Appalachian Clubhouse. And you can explore inside them!

Hike the Trails

The event takes place on the Little River and Jake’s Creek trails, so what better way to “kill some time” than to go hiking on these trails?

While you hike, you can enjoy the views, get your blood pumping before you sit down for the rest of the evening, and scope out a great spot to watch the synchronous fireflies.

PRO TIP: My favorite route in the area is the Little River trailhead to Huskey Branch Falls. It’s 4 miles roundtrip, with river views the entire way, and a pretty waterfall.

Enjoy a Picnic

Venture onto one of the trails and enjoy a picnic dinner while you wait for the forest to grow dark!

Where To See The Synchronous Fireflies

The highest concentration of synchronous fireflies is visible from the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains, which is why the event takes place there every year.

But the question I got asked the most at the event is “Where is the best spot to view the fireflies?”

The Little River Trail is known to have the highest concentration and most spectacular display of synchronous fireflies (and the infamous blue ghosts!), so this is where I recommend visitors go.

But you can also see them from the Jake’s Creek Trail!

When you get there, the staff will let you know exactly where the highest concentration of them has been spotted recently so that you can have the best viewing experience possible.

If you can walk further along the hiking trails, I’d do that. The further you hike onto the trails, the fewer people you will run into. Plus, with less ambient light from people and cars, your firefly viewing experience will be much more magical.

But remember, you will have to walk back out in the dark, so don’t walk further in than you’re capable of walking back out!

What To Do If You See A Bear

Bears come out at night. In fact, dusk is the most common time of day to see bears. And this freaks some people out!

But don’t worry: with such a high volume of visitors making noise, bears will usually keep their distance.

However, when the fireflies come out for the display, visitors usually lower their voices to hushes and whispers, and the lights are only shining intermittently, so bears might come out. This happened one year.

If you see a bear, here’s what you can do:

• Don’t panic.
• Make lots of noise.
• Get your neighbors to join you by shouting, “hey bear!” until he saunters away.

Volunteers, staff, and law enforcement park rangers are scattered all over this event, so there is constant communication about bears. Your loud voices and shouting will alert the staff, who will then proceed to shoo the bear away.

READ NEXT: Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains: Everything You Should Know

Tips For the Synchronous Fireflies Event

Here’s how to have the best experience at the synchronous fireflies event in the Smokies!

Bring A Headlamp Or a Flashlight

You’ll definitely want to bring your own light source! I’d recommend bringing a headlamp so you can be hands-free. A flashlight is a good option if you don’t have a headlamp.

If you bring a headlamp, make sure you are familiar with the settings and know how to flick on the red light. You aren’t allowed to use the white light setting unless you are in a dangerous situation, your safety is compromised, or you see/hear a bear.

If you bring a flashlight, cover it in red cellophane. If you don’t have a red light flashlight or red cellophane to cover your regular flashlight, grab one from a staff member. They’ll be handing out red cellophane at the event entrance.

Bring Chairs Or a Blanket

There’s nothing wrong with sitting on the forest floor. But if you plan to stay a while and you want to be a little more comfortable, bring a camp chair or a blanket to sit on.

Lightweight backpacking chairs and lightweight camp blankets are the most ideal to bring to this event. I witnessed many visitors hauling massive camp chairs along with oversized coolers and blankets, and they were struggling to hike the trails with their arms so full of heavy gear.

For blankets, I am biased toward Rumpl’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park blanket pattern! They also have a bunch of other adorable National Park prints. Check them out!

For chairs, my preference is the lightweight, 1-pound Helinox Zero Chair. I use it for backpacking, but love bringing it car camping and to events like this because of how small, light, and portable it is!

Bring A Picnic Dinner

I’d recommend getting to the event as early as possible and claiming a spot along the trail to not only enjoy the fireflies show but to eat a meal while you wait for it to get dark.

REMEMBER: Pack all of your trash out. Don’t leave scraps, wrappers, or any other food or trash on the trails. Not only will you be littering and possibly damaging fragile landscapes, but you will also be attracting bears and encouraging aggressive wildlife behavior.

Etiquette For the Event

Make Sure Your Vehicle Headlights Aren’t Facing The Trails

When you pull into the parking space, be mindful of where your lights are shining.

On the days that I work the event, I remind visitors to face their headlights away from the hiking trails. This way, if you leave before the event is officially over, you won’t be shining your bright vehicle lights on the fireflies’ display.

Keep Your Lights Off Unless Walking

When it gets dark, keep your light usage to a minimum.

Turn your phone and camera on the dimmest setting possible, and only use your headlamp or flashlight when you’re walking to your viewing spot or leaving.

Put away any watches or devices that will flash without your knowledge.

Only use the red setting on your headlamp or flashlight, or cover your white-light flashlight with red cellophane.

Point your flashlights and headlamps at the ground so as not to disturb other viewers or the fireflies.

Only use white light if you feel as though your safety is compromised. For example, if you think you see/hear a bear, you may shine a white light to be able to see further into the forest.

Protect The Fireflies And Their Habitat

Never catch the fireflies. I know you might’ve done this when you were a kid (I sure did), but please do not catch the fireflies. Observe only!

Stay on the trail at all times. Stay on the Jake’s Creek and Little River Trails at all times. Do not venture off-trail. Doing so will cause damage to the landscape and could cause you to get lost.

Pack out all of your garbage. Never leave your trash on the ground. Take everything with you. You can dispose of it at Elkmont Campground or the Sugarlands Visitor Center after the event.

Together, we can protect the fireflies and their natural habitat!

Leaving the Event

When it’s time to leave the event – so sad, I know! – head back to your car using the red light setting on your headlamp or a red-cellophane-covered flashlight.

Be mindful of people when you’re walking back to your car. Some people choose not to walk the trails – instead, they stand in the road or parking areas.

Be extra mindful of people when you get in your car and leave. Remember, people may be walking, sitting, or standing in the roadways!

Do your best not to shine your light toward the fireflies’ display.

What To Do If You Didn’t Get A Permit

Didn’t get a firefly permit? Fear not! I have written an article that details three ways you can see the synchronous fireflies in the Smokies WITHOUT a permit! Give it a read.

Enjoy the Elkmont synchronous fireflies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Where to Stay

The best town to stay in when viewing the synchronous fireflies is Gatlinburg! Here are some of my recommendations:

• Elk Springs Resort – luxury cabins sprinkled all over Gatlinburg $$$$
• Margarittaville Resort – within walking distance of Anakeesta $$$
• Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park – family-friendly lodging with indoor water park and mini golf $$
• Park Vista – closest accommodation to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail $$
• Camp LeConte – treehouses, safari tents, and retro campers + basic tent/RV campsites $ – $$

Or, you can camp in the Smokies, which is my favorite option!

• Elkmont Campground – The synchronous fireflies event is located right by this campground. Secure a site in this campground during the fireflies event, and you won’t need a fireflies permit!
• Cades Cove Campground – 22 miles from the synchronous fireflies event.
• Look Rock Campground – 32 miles from the synchronous fireflies event.

READ NEXT: Which Smokies Campground Is Right For You?

Finish Planning Your Trip to the Smokies

Make your trip unforgettable and stress-free with the help of my Great Smoky Mountains blog posts!

• Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary (From a Local!)
• Where to Stay in the Smokies: Breakdown By Town
• Tennessee Vs. North Carolina: Which Side of the Smokies Is Better?
• When Is the Best Time to Visit the Smoky Mountains? Each Season Compared
• 8 Best EASY Trails in the Smokies
• 7 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Great Smoky Mountains
• Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains: Which Campground Is Right For You?

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