Every June, fireflies in the Smoky Mountains put on a stunning light show, but only a lucky few get in to see it each year.

Flickering Fireflies

Even without the stunning backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, fireflies (or lightning bugs) can put on a gorgeous light show for you to see. As a kid, I always loved looking out over my backyard and seeing the little flickers of light they would put off on a warm summer night.  Now imagine that view but with the fireflies flashing their lights in unison and add in the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. Now that sounds amazing, right?  That's exactly what you can see during the synchronous fireflies light show in Tennessee.

How are Synchronus Fireflies Different Than the Ones Here?

As with everything, there are several different species of fireflies.  The National Parks Service (NPS)  says that the Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are one of only a couple species in the United States that will synchronize their light pattern.  So why do they flash their lights in unison?  In a nutshell, we're watching fireflies try to "woo" a suitable mate.  The NPS explains:

Firefly flash patterns are part of their mating display. Each species has a characteristic pattern that helps male and female individuals recognize and find each other. 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.

This happens early in June, and so many people want to see it in person that it has become an exclusive event.  It's so exclusive that you have to enter a lottery just for the chance to go.

How to See the Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

In order to see this natural light show, you'll have to enter a lottery through the National Parks Service.  The lottery costs only $1 to enter, and if you win, you will be able to purchase a car pass to enjoy the event.  The lottery is only open for a few days. The NPS says they do the lottery to try to level the playing field for everyone who wants to see this spectacle in person.

to provide an equitable opportunity for interested visitors to obtain a pass for this limited, yet high-demand event.

Get our free mobile app

When is the Lottery for the Synchronous Fireflies?

You can submit your entry to the lottery through the NPS anytime from Friday, April 26th at 10 AM EDT, and the lottery window closes on April 29th at 11:59 PM EDT. The lottery winners will be notified if their application was successful by mid-May, and June 3rd to 10th is the annual firefly viewing opportunity.  If you want to learn more about the synchronous fireflies, you can find all of that information here.