Want to watch fireflies light up the Smoky Mountains in 2024? Here's when and where

Devarrick Turner, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read

The fireflies' annual synchronous light show in the woods of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is something to behold. It's a sight you don’t want to miss, even if you weren’t one of the lucky lottery winners.

Peak dates this year for viewing the fireflies are June 3-10 near Elkmont Campground. Those who received a vehicle parking pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park lottery were notified mid-May of their slots. But if that wasn’t you, the chance to see the luminescent show is not all lost.

Here’s what you need to know about the synchronous fireflies and how to view them without a lottery pass.

When can I see synchronous fireflies in the Smoky Mountains in 2024?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing at Elkmont from June 3-10, according to a release. Peak viewing dates typically fall in late May or early June. The best time of day to view them is right after dark, usually from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Synchronous fireflies, or Photinus carolinus, are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and are one of only a few firefly species in North America known to synchronize their flashing light pattern.
Synchronous fireflies, or Photinus carolinus, are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and are one of only a few firefly species in North America known to synchronize their flashing light pattern.

Ways to view the synchronous fireflies without a lottery pass

Over 20,000 people enter the lottery each year, and only 1,120 vehicle passes – 140 per night – are distributed. Elkmont is only open to those with passes during peak viewing, but there are a few other ways to view the fireflies even if you didn’t get a pass.

You can always plan to visit Elkmont a few days before or after the 2024 peak viewing days, suggests Hipcamp, an outdoor experiences website. Over the years, there have been reports of sightings at other areas in the Smokies around the same elevation as Elkmont and near water.

Cades Cove, Rainbow Falls Trail and Rocky Fork State Pare are areas suggested by Hipcamp. It should be noted, though, that the main gate to Cades Cove Loop Road closes at sunset.

How to see synchronous fireflies in Knox County

If you can’t make it to the Smokies, there’s still a chance to see synchronous fireflies in Knox County.

Molly Branch Fireflies, located at 9100 Hogskin Road in Corryton, offers the opportunity to see snappy sync fireflies June 7-18. These fireflies are a different species and have a different blinking pattern from those in the Smokies, but their natural light show is still synchronized, according to the Molly Branch website.

You might also get to see two other firefly species, blue ghosts and heebie jeebies.

Tickets are $7-$12. They are first come, first served and can be purchased at mollybranchfireflies.com.

What is a synchronous firefly?

Fireflies, aka lightning bugs, are a regular feature of summer evenings. Their flashing lights are part of their mating display. Photinus carolinus is one of at least 19 firefly species in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of just a few species in North America known to synchronize its flashing light patterns, according to the National Park Service.

The typical mating season is May-June. The synchronous light show can be affected by environmental factors such as heavy rain or temperatures below 50 degrees on any given night.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How to see synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park