Synchronous Fireflies Event at Elkmont
If you have never witnessed this special event it is a must see!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the dates for the firefly viewing event in Elkmont. The ticketed event will take place from Tuesday, June 2 through Tuesday, June 9. The online ticketing system, operated through www.recreation.gov, will again provide visitors with guaranteed parking passes for Sugarlands Visitor Center where ticket-holders will park for reserved shuttle service to Elkmont.
Every year in late May or early June, thousands of visitors gather
near the popular Elkmont Campground to observe the naturally occurring
phenomenon of Photinus carolinus, a firefly species that
flashes synchronously. Access to the viewing area during the 8-days of
predicted peak activity is provided through a shuttle service beginning
at Sugarlands Visitor Center. All visitors wishing to view the
synchronous fireflies at Elkmont must have a parking pass.
The number of passes issued each day is based on the Sugarlands
Visitor Center parking lot capacity. Passes will be issued with
staggered arrival times in order to relieve congestion in the parking
lot and for boarding the shuttles. The shuttle buses, which are provided
in partnership with the city of Gatlinburg, will begin picking up
visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 7:00 p.m.The cost will be $1.00 round trip per person, as in previous years, and collected when boarding the shuttle.
The shuttle service is the only transportation mode for visitor
access during this period, except for registered campers staying at the
Elkmont Campground. Visitors are not allowed to walk the Elkmont
entrance road due to safety concerns.
The parking passes will be available online for sale beginning at 10:00 a.m.on Thursday, April 30.
The park will hold back 85 passes for each day to accommodate
individuals who did not learn of the need to pre purchase tickets. These
85 passes will go on sale online at 10:00 a.m.the day before the event and will be available until 3:30 p.m.on the day of the event or until the passes are all reserved.
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