Imagine thousands of fairies buzzing around you at night, or a multitude of tiny, twinkling stars occupying the trophosphere for a few short days.
Your chance to experience the next closest thing is coming up, and it’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Knoxville.
Wait, what?
Each year, synchronous fireflies — aka Photinus carolinus, one of few species in North America that coordinate their flashing patterns — light up the sky as part of a mating ritual, typically from mid-May to early June.
We happen to be lucky enough to live less than two hours away from Elkmont Campground at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the best places in the US to watch the unique phenomenon.
How can I see them?
Because of the fireflies’ popularity, the national park closes Elkmont at night during the eight-day viewing period — only opening the campground up to visitors who win a chance to see the phenomenon via an annual lottery system.
This year, the viewing period will take place Thursday, May 29-Thursday, June 5.
When can I apply?
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 2 at 10 a.m. That’s when the lottery for vehicle reservations opens, only remaining open through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 5. It costs $1 to apply, but successful applicants will need to cough up another $29 to reserve.
By mid-May, you’ll find out if your application was successful. Fair warning: Just like the Powerball, it’s difficult to win this lottery — but you can always try again next year.
If you’re getting Eras Tour flashbacks, don’t count out applying just yet. This review from someone who won the lottery last year just may change your mind:
“When it fully got dark we saw thousands fully around us flashing in a wave across the landscape. Truly a loss for words at the beauty of it all, as if the forest floor was covered in twinkle lights as far as we could see. It was magical and became a very special moment for us.” — Carson W., via the lottery website
