Starting June 7, for one week, the lightening bugs will be in Elkmont, located in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is one of the few places in the world where you can witness the synchronized flashes of fireflies. Synchrony, repetitive group flashing, is very rare. For this one week in June, the males have a very distinct flash cycle as a way of attracting female fireflies. They flash about 6 or 7 times, pause for about 6 to 8 seconds until another fly begins the cycle over again.
This event is becoming more popular every year, so the city of Gatlinburg and the National Park partnered to provide trolleys to Elkmont nightly from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. between June 7 and June 14. For $1 you can catch the trolley at the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking lot.
In the past, as many as 2,000 people per weekend night have taken the trolley to watch this natural phenomenon. The fact that this event is nature in its own element, the National Park, is what makes this such a popular event.
Make your stay in the Great Smoky Mountains with a cabin in the Smokies
