Time almost up to enter lottery for rare Congaree fireflies viewing in SC this year. What to know

Patrick McCreless
·2 min read

If you want a chance to see the amazing synchronized fireflies at Congaree National Park this year, you’d better hurry.

Folks have until 10 a.m. eastern time on Wednesday to sign up for the park’s annual lottery to view the event. The fireflies viewing period will be from May 16 through May 25.

The park began a lottery in 2021 to provide more equitable opportunity for all interested visitors to view the limited, but high-demand event.

Here’s what to know about the lottery system and the fireflies viewing event itself.

Synchronous fireflies

Congaree National Park has for years hosted this event, in which visitors can witness an amazing display of thousands of fireflies flashing in synchronization in search of mates. There are only three species of synchronous fireflies in North America, making the Congaree event a fairly unique experience.

Fireflies lottery details

  • To sign up for the lottery, click here

  • Application fee: $1

  • Lottery closes: 10 a.m. on Wednesday

  • Lottery results: Winners of the lottery will be notified on April 16

  • There will be a total of 145 vehicle passes allowed per evening during each night of the event

  • Only one application per household will be accepted

  • You can choose up to six possible dates to attend the event

  • There will be no rain checks or changes to reservations

  • People picked in the lottery will be automatically charged $24 for a parking pass on the same credit or debit card used for the application fee. If the charge is declined for any reason, the reservation will be forfeited

Event details

  • All vehicles with valid entry passes will be given a low lumen red light flashlight to reduce the amount of ambient light in the viewing area and to protect the fireflies

  • The firefly viewing area will be adjacent to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center

  • Restrooms and water will be available outside the visitor center until 10 p.m.

  • Flash photography is strictly prohibited

Parking details

  • Entry into the park will begin no earlier than 7 p.m. each night of the event. Entry into the parking area will close at 8:30 p.m. to reduce the impact of vehicle headlights on the viewing area

  • Vehicle pass holders must be present in the vehicle upon arrival and must present photo identification that matches the name on the vehicle pass

  • All vehicles must have no more than two axles and be able to park in a standard parking space. Oversized vehicles such as RVs, larger passenger vans or vehicles with towing trailers will not be permitted

  • Vehicles may have no more than eight passengers total