Park Service Announces Synchronous Fireflies 2017 Dates
The dates for the synchronous firefly 2017 event at Elkmont this summer are May 30 – June 6, 2017. During these dates the shuttles will run taking those with tickets to Elkmont campgrounds each evening for the firefly viewing event.
GSM Synchronous Fireflies Viewing at Elkmont
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park service has announced it will again use the online lottery system for tickets to the annual synchronous firefly event at Elkmont this summer. Dates to this year’s event will be announced on April 25, 2017. The ticket lottery will open on April 28 through May 1. Lottery ticket winners will be notified on May 10. This annual event has become so popular the park service had to start using a lottery ticket process last year for the public to access Elkmont. Last year over 20,000 entered the lottery but only 1800 people got tickets. There is no fee but there is a $2.75 parking fee for the parking pass at Sugarland Visitor Center. Shuttles will leave from this location and take you to Elkmont Campground. Elkmont campground is the viewing area for the synchronous fireflies event.Elkmont is one of the few places in the world where you can see this special kind of firefly that flashes in sync.
Each year in late May and early June synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus), a species of fireflies that live in the GSMNP provide an amazing show due to their mating pattern. This flash pattern is unique to
this type of firefly (also referred to by southerners as lighting bugs). The flashing has a pattern that male and female fireflies of this species recognize and is part of their mating process. It is a fascinating spectacle to watch under the veil of darkness in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Synchronous Fireflies 2017 Dates For GSMNP at Elkmont
The peak time for this annual mating season is in late May to mid June and will last for about 2 weeks. The National Park Service for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year has a viewing event at Elkmont Campgrounds. More information can be obtained at www.recreation.gov /Firefly Event Page or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Important Dates for the Synchronous Fireflies 2017 Event This Summer
Shuttles will run May 30 – June 6, 2017
Tuesday 4/25/17: Dates of event and shuttle operating period will be announced
Friday 4/28/17 at 12:00 p.m. (NOON) ET: Lottery for Vehicle Passes OPENS
Monday 5/1/17 at 8:00 p.m. ET: Lottery for Vehicle Passes CLOSED
Wednesday 5/10/17: All lottery applicants will be notified about their application. If SUCCESSFUL you will awarded a vehicle pass) or UNSUCCESSFUL and you were not awarded a vehicle pass)
Neat video from synchronous fireflies event in 2015…
