Smokies offering parking passes for synchronous fireflies

April 28, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated April 28, 2015 at 1:24 a.m.

by Associated Press

Fireflies fill the air for their annual mating season in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Elkmont Campground outside Gatlinburg, Tenn. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Males flash in flight, hoping to attract stationary females below. This photograph was made by 'stacking' 204 long exposures shot over a 1.5 hour period, recording fireflies' light trails in their outdoor disco.
Fireflies fill the air for their annual mating season in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Elkmont Campground outside Gatlinburg, Tenn. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Males flash in flight, hoping to attract stationary females below. This photograph was made by 'stacking' 204 long exposures shot over a 1.5 hour period, recording fireflies' light trails in their outdoor disco.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. -- The synchronous fireflies are coming, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering a limited number of parking passes for the spectacle.

According to the park, the ticketed event will take place June 2-9. Those wishing to see the fireflies can purchase parking passes in advance at www.recreation.gov. The cost is $1.50, and each pass covers a maximum of 6 people in a single passenger vehicle. Four passes are available for oversize vehicles.

All visitors wishing to view the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont must have a parking pass. Shuttles will take the guests from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to Elkmont at a cost of $1.00 round trip per person.

Upcoming Events