Being one of the largest protected ecosystems in the country, possibly the planet, makes it obvious that the Great Smoky Mountains are home to a wildly increasing number of organisms where the leg count could be anything from 1 to 1000. Some are fun to look at and beg for pictures; others pretty much coined the term 'creep crawlie' and there are certainly a lot of those here in the mountains.
But one organism is so popular here in East Tennessee that people travel cross-country just to see them. At night. When you can't usually see things. Yes, somehow, the East Tennessee Lampyridae Lightning Beetle Bug (also known as Firefly) gathers crowds and congregations like nothing else on Earth. It is amazing to consider, but when you actually get to see them in action over the mountains, you understand why.
The fireflies come in the middle of June to Gatlinburg. Hundreds of them. And they all 'synchronize' their lights in a natural display. Its wild to look at. Nobody knows WHY they do this, they just do and you have to see it to believe it.
You can catch the Fireflies in Elkmont in Gatlinburg. The National Park Service, on behalf of NPS, offers these tips:
Light Show Etiquette
Flashlights disrupt the fireflies and impair people's night vision. The light show is best when you:
- Cover your flashlight with red or blue cellophane.
- Use your flashlight only when walking to your viewing spot.
- Point your flashlight at the ground.
- Turn off your flashlight when you find your viewing spot.
You can also help protect the fireflies and their habitat:
- Do not catch the fireflies.
- Stay on the trail at all times.
- Pack out all of your garbage.
Happy viewing!
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