The best time to see Synchronous Fireflies, Smokies in 2027 is Late May to early June 2027.
Timing status: Natural timing window.
Firefly display · Late May to early June 2027
Lottery access · ~1-week peak
For about a week, thousands of Photinus carolinus fireflies flash in near-unison.
One of only a few firefly species on Earth that synchronizes its flashing, the Smokies population peaks for roughly a week in late spring. Access to Elkmont during the peak is by a lottery run by the National Park Service.
access to Elkmont: Lottery
Where it is visible: Great Smoky Mountains, USA
The exact peak is predicted only a week or two ahead; the Elkmont lottery opens in late April.
Synchronous Fireflies, Smokies 2027: Late May to early June 2027.
Trailwind finds the moment a trip is unusually possible: the right season, a cheap fare, your open dates, and rare skies. Browse by calendar: