Six Great Synchronous Firefly Viewing Areas For 2018! A spectacular display by the Synchronous Fireflies and the Blue Ghost Fireflies will light up the sky in the Great Smoky Mountains in late May and early June 2018. The annual event has become so popular that several venues are now available to the public where they can enjoy the amazing show as blinking beetles rise from the ground and surround them in waves of tiny twinkling lights.
The Synchronous Firefly (Photinus carolinus) and the Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) are two species found only in the Southern Appalachian Mountains which include the Great Smokies. And during the short mating season in late May and early June, both firefly species put on a mini firework display choreographed by Mother Nature.
Male Synchronous Fireflies flash little green-yellow bioluminescent lanterns in unison for about 6-8 blinks casting an eerie wave of light throughout the forest before going dark for a few seconds. The male Blue Ghost Fireflies do not blink to attract mates but instead feature blue-white lights that glow continuously just a few inches above the ground creating a surreal carpet of light that is certain to delight and amaze all ages. The National Park scientists use air and soil temperatures to predict the timing of each year’s mating season and the dates will be announced sometime in April 2018. Check with HeySmokies.Com for updates on this popular event.
Synchronous Fireflies with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
One of the best places to view the Synchronous Fireflies is in Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park— a location so popular that a free lottery system was instituted for the $1.50 parking passes during the eight-day shuttle period to Elkmont. Elkmont closes at dusk during this peak viewing period allowing only shuttle ticket holder and Elkmont campers in Elkmont Campground.
Dates for the 2018 Sychronous Firefly event will be announced in April. You may apply for a chance to win a pass April 28 through May 1 by going to www.recreation.gov and search for firefly event lottery. Winners will be notified on May 10.
Synchronous Fireflies with Discover Life in America in Gatlinburg, TN
For a few nights during peak firefly viewing time, Discover Life in America hosts a fundraising event featuring nightly presentations and field walks at the Norton
Creek Sanctuary near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tickets for the event are $100 each and the event is geared toward persons ages 10 and older. For reservations for this exclusive event, call Discover Life in America at 865-430-4757 or email todd@dlia.org.
Synchronous Fireflies in Cataloochee with Cataloochee Valley Tours
Take a Synchronous Firefly Night Walk with Cataloochee Valley Tours out of Waynesville, NC. Small groups of guests are outfitted with safety vests and flashlights for a walk to the tour company’s secret viewing locations! Tour tickets are $60 per person. Tours are from 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. weather permitting. For more information, visit Cataloochee Valley Tours.
Blue Ghost Fireflies in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Asheville, NC
DuPont State Forest is located in Cedar Mountain, NC about 30 miles outside of Asheville. Due to the popularity of this location in recent years, some of the trails in the High Falls parking area will be closed during peak viewing season. Visitors are urged to stay on designated trails because female Blue Ghosts stay on the ground and many have been killed by visitors wandering off trail. For more information, visit DuPont State Forest.
Transylvania County Blue Ghosts
The Pisgah Field School offers a firefly hike led by a trained naturalist under the cover of darkness along paved trails at the Cradle of Forestry. You never know what you will find on this hike so call 828-884-3342 to make a reservation or go to Pisgah Field School to learn more about this rain or shine, family friendly event!
Fireflies on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway are a great place to view starry nights as well as the fireflies in June and the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville usually offers a family-friendly firefly viewing event. For more information, visit Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.
Both firefly species are common in other areas of Southern Appalachia and perhaps may make an appearance in your backyard during the month of June. Beginning around 10 p.m. turn off the lights, grab a comfy chair or spread a blanket on the ground, sit back and relax and wait for your own private firefly show to begin.
HeySmokies left the crowds at Elkmont Campground and backpacked a bit further up Little River Trail to enjoy the show! Remember a permit is required for an overnight stay at a backcountry site. Happy Trails!
Enjoy this great recap of a Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Firefly night out!
LeConte Lodge is the only overnight lodging, other than camping, available within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You cannot drive to LeConte Lodge. You must hike one of the five trails that access this rustic retreat located near the top of the 6,593 foot Mt. LeConte. An overnight stay at LeConte Lodge is an incredible experience you won’t find any place else in the world! Just ask anyone who’s witnessed an awe-inspiring sunrise or sunset from LeConte’s Myrtle Point.
LeConte Lodge is open from late-March to mid-November and with a maximum capacity for only 60 guests a night, reservations are often made more than a year in advance.
The traditional ringing of the dinner bell each evening promptly at 6:00 p.m. welcomes overnight guests to a hearty family-style dinner with next morning offering another family-style breakfast feast at 8:00 a.m. Sack lunches, along with lemonade hot chocolate, coffee, and baked goods are also available from the lodge’s dining hall. Adults, be sure to pre-order wine service for your dinner!
Although you should take care to pack your backpack lightly, these items are a must to bring along for your adventure on Mt. LeConte:
Sturdy and durable hiking boots or shoes, that are already broken in, along with more than one pair of non-cotton socks. Trust us, wet feet are no fun. Waterproof boots are shoes are even better.
A raincoat or poncho is a must along with lightweight clothing that will dry quickly and can be layered. In spring and fall nighttime temperatures can dip into the teens with snow. Summer nights can even drop to a chilly 30 degrees, so a lightweight fleece jacket is needed year-round.
Adequate water supply and a snack or lunch for your hike up the mountain to the lodge. For the safety of your health, please don’t drink water directly from mountain streams.
A headlamp or flashlight. There is no electricity at LeConte Lodge. We prefer a headlamp to keep your hands free. Kerosene lamps provide lighting in the cabins with propane heaters providing warmth.
A hand towel, washcloth and personal items like toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Although there are no showers, wash basins with soap are in all cabins. You will be happy to know there is modern privy building with flush toilets. All bedding linens, including pillows and cozy Hudson Bay wool blankets, are provided.
Credit card or cash for additional food or souvenir purchases at LeConte Lodge.
Great Smoky Mountains solar eclipse road closure update. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are reminding visitors that Clingmans Dome Road will be closed to all access beginning at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19 through the evening of Monday, August 21 following the event. No overnight parking will be allowed at Clingmans Dome Parking Area or pull-offs, parking areas, and trailheads along the road during this time period. The road will be closed to all motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
During the closure, all trails, campsites and shelters in the backcountry will remain open, but backpackers should carefully consider the road closure when planning their itineraries. All vehicles must be clear of Clingmans Dome Road by 11:00 p.m. Saturday, August 19. An interactive map is available on the park website at “map” where backcountry users can view which backcountry campsites are within the path of totality.
Clingmans Dome Road is the only park road closed for the solar eclipse event, but park visitors should be prepared for high volume traffic across all park roads on Monday, August 21. Vehicles cannot stop in the roadway and must be parked in designated parking areas. If roads become congested or cause a safety concern, rangers may temporarily close them to additional inbound traffic until after the eclipse to reduce traffic congestion and allow access for emergency response. Visitors should expect temporary road closures throughout the day.
While the western half of the park lies within the path of totality, there are limited roads and parking areas available for travel. The risk of traffic jams and road closures is likely to increase throughout the morning of August 21. Managers suggest that visitors plan ahead to find the right eclipse experience for their situation. Many communities outside of the national park are hosting special events to observe and celebrate the celestial phenomena and those locales may be a great alternative for locals or travelers not wanting to risk traffic congestion in the park. Visit the park website for more information at www.nps.gov.
For more information about the Great Smoky Mountains Solar Eclipse check out our recent blog “Eclipse.”
Sevierville Winterfest Kickoff showcases the spirit of the holidays in lights November 6, 2017 to February 28, 2018 celebrating the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland shines a light on the festivities November 3, 2017 thru January 7, 2018 with an amazing mile and a half long driving tour around the perimeter of Smokies Stadium. This LED extravaganza highlights music and the brand new Santa’ Safari after Thanksgiving. There will be fun activities for the kids including photos with Santa and crafts. The fun continues all through out the city where holiday displays shine and beckon you to join in the spirit of the season.
Grainger County Tomato Festival 2017 at 7480 Rutledge Pike, Rutledge, TN is scheduled for Friday July 28 through Sunday July 30, 2017. The festival began in 1992, promotes the delicious and world famous Grainger County Tomatoes, local agricultural goodies, and also spotlights many area artists, craftsmen, musicians, dancers, authors and more. The venue has evolved to include many special events and is considered to be one of the largest FREE festivals in East Tennessee! Parade magazine rated it as one of the top ten festivals in the USA. The good times are always the last weekend in July so mark your calendars for this year and next.
This is a family friendly event and attendees are reminded that no smoking or alcohol is allowed on the grounds. It is usually pretty warm this time of year, so dress appropriately. Watering stations and mist tents will be available to keep you and your furry friends cool at this pet friendly event.
Be sure and come hungry to the Tomato Fest. There are so many treats that choosing which to sample may prove daunting. HeySmokies loves the home made ice cream, and pinto beans and cornbread but no visit to the Grainger County Tomato Festival would be complete without a big serving of fried green tomatoes, our personal favorite. Don’t forget to take home a basket of red (or green, if you prefer) delicious tomatoes.
Catch the live entertainment on the main stage beginning Saturday morning:
9:00 The Mason Dixon Boys
10:15 Mary Kutter
11:30 Sarah Helper
1:00 Snake Holler
3:30 N2O
4:00 The Mc Kameys with opening band Tribute Quartet
5:00 Reggie Coleman
7:00 The world famous Charlie Daniels Band performs on the Rutledge Middle School football field.
Sunday July 30th
12:00 Keith Lambert
1:15 Homer Hart
2:30 Brandon Fulson
3:45 Shelby Duke
Choose a side and prepare for battle at the World Famous Tomato Wars! Participants can grab “ammo” from bushels and bushels of tomatoes, take aim and win the day! The wars usually begin at 10:00 a.m Saturday and Sunday but times are yet to be announced so stay tuned to HeySmokies.com for the latest information.
Insider tip: If you participate in the tomato wars bring a fresh change of clothes!
