See the Fireflies Light Up the Night in the Smokies Soon: The Details

Photo from Country Living Magazine

It’s become a yearly phenomenon, not just for the firefly light display—which is actually quite natural—but for the flock of visitors who seek to view it. And that time is fast approaching for the 2023 edition.

Elkmont Campground hosts this viewing event each year in late May or early June with a gathering of nearly a thousand lucky visitors. I say lucky because there is a lottery just for the opportunity to be here for it. This system is open for those interested this weekend, and this weekend only—April 28 through May 1.

The reason is twofold for the lottery: to control the traffic flow in the area, and minimize the disturbance of the two-week mating period. Since 2006, the Park has done this, limiting it to eight days to see the peak firefly activity.

The synchronicity of the light they emit is a main drawing point for visitors. The flash patterns line up pretty well as the evening progresses. The males do the brightest flashing, but the females also have a faint flash from the ground, as the former are the only ones that can fly several feet off the ground.

The fireflies have two chemicals in their midsection that combine and break down, resulting in the light they give off. For a fascinating contrast, an incandescent light bulb produces 90 percent heat, while a firefly uses its energy with no heat and 100 percent light.

Getting back to the lottery, a total of 960 vehicle registrations will be issued through the eight days of viewing. There is a $1 application fee, with the results being available by May 11. The reservation only allows for one vehicle with seven occupants to park at the Elkmont location. Applicants will be able to enter two dates to increase their odds of getting one, even though the lottery is done to give everyone an equal chance of getting a spot.

If you are one of the fortunate ones to get drawn, you will be charged a $24 reservation fee from the card used to pay for the dollar application fee. The money is used for providing the visitor with on-site restrooms, supplies and personnel costs for the event. You cannot get a refund, and the reservations are only valid for the date issued.

The first date for viewing is June 4th, which is interesting because we will be here—granted it’s the end of our visit. We have never even put our names in for it, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit interested in being a spectator. Let me know if you have and tell me what you thought. Did you like it? Would you do it again? I’m interested in everything you experienced from it!

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