The Annual Synchronous Firefly Viewing In Tennessee Is Back: Here's How To Enter To Experience It
By Chris Dodge|Published May 09, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is filled with stunning beauty. The waterfalls have long amazed visitors far and way, the mountainous overlooks are second to none, and the forest is simply enchanting. There are certainly a lot of grand spectacles to catch your eye, but there are also brilliant natural wonders that come in the tiniest size. Each year, the park’s synchronous fireflies put on an incredible show when it comes time for mating season. The forest is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights and it’s certainly an experience worthy of your bucket list. Here is everything you need to know about seeing these fascinating creatures.
By the time the stars come out in our national park, most people have left for the day to retreat home or enjoy the nearby accommodations. However, the night sky can be mesmerizing within the Smokies, and as much as we love star gazing, something else happens in the dark around June every year: synchronous fireflies.
Scientist study several factors and monitor the timeframe for when the fireflies start to come out. The dates usually fall within the first week of June but can vary from year to year.
When they get ready for the mating season the show is a spectacular display of matching twinkling lights, unlike anything you have ever seen before. So what do you do if you want to see these fascinating creatures? In April or May, the national park will start to release the dates for a lottery. The environment in which this event happens needs to be protected and monitored for many other people to enjoy it for years to come, which means viewings are limited. So enter the lottery (link below) and see if you are one of the lucky winners who gets the chance to experience this natural phenomenon.
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You will get the choice of two days to see the fireflies, and if you happen to be one of the few that gets permitted you are about to embark on an adventure unlike any other. You'll sit tight until dusk, when the sun starts to illuminate the mountains in a golden glow, then make your way into the park.
Parking is limited and to minimize the disturbance to these insects only around 100 vehicles will be permitted over the week-long activity of peak firefly mating.
The park encourages guests to bring a flashlight with a red light filter because bright white light can disrupt the fireflies. Once you find your way to the viewing area make sure to turn off the lights and enjoy the show.
What makes this event so spectacular is how the lights will synchronize with one another.
Scientists have been studying this behavior and believe that the males will set themselves apart from other fireflies that could be predators so the females will know which one is her mate. The pattern is about five to eight flashes then around eight seconds of darkness. This pattern is repeated and as more and more males join in the forest lights up in a magical greenish-yellow color.
This truly is the event of a lifetime -- don't miss out on your chance to witness this natural phenonemon!
Sometimes it is the smallest of insects that display some of the most stunning beauty in nature. The Synchronous Fireflies certainly have a one-of-a-kind show that lights up the forest in an enchanting glow. If you want to enter the lottery and check out the dates for this once-a-year display please visit the Smoky Mountains National Park website for everything you need to know.
