The annual lighting display of the synchronous firefly beetles in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June has become so popular that Park managers have developed a plan to relieve traffic congestion that occurs during the peak activity period at the Little River Trailhead at Elkmont in Tennessee.
The peak period of the mating behavior can vary each year, but normally begins around the second week in June. Park managers have identified June 8-19 to begin a pilot project to improve crowded conditions, protect Park resources, and improve the viewing experience. Park managers are imposing “no parking” at the trailhead, encouraging visitors to ride the extended trolley service provided by the City of Gatlinburg or carpool with family and friends, designating off-site parking locations at trolley stops, and providing staff to assist with traffic control and to provide on-site nightly walks and talks. (See specifics below.)
Over the years, publicity on this particular species of firefly display has spread widely. Last year the Park received over 8,000 people during a 2-week period when the fireflies are displaying their flashing activity, which in the natural world is actually a mating ritual.
Rick Brown, Acting Chief Ranger said that “There are upwards to 300-400 vehicles on peak nights which are an overwhelming number of cars for the area. The trailhead parking area is not large enough to adequately accommodate the number of vehicles transporting people to this site for what has turned out to be a major summer evening event. Many people are forced to park on the road shoulders along the narrow road creating an even more risky condition. In addition, whenever there is a crowded situation like this there is always an increased chance for potential injury to visitors, and in these circumstances, any number of medical situations, from a snakebite to a leg injury, can occur. There are hidden hazards of walking in the dark and along uneven paths and into patchy, bumpy grassy fields located off the trail.”
Park managers have developed the following strategies:
§ "No Parking” will be enforced June 8 – 19 between the hours of 5 p.m. and 12 a.m. at the Little River Trailhead. This area will be used to serve as a turn-around area for the trolleys and as a carpool dropoff. Hikers can park at this location during the day before 5 p.m.
§ City of Gatlinburg Expanded Trolley Service:
Dates: Thursday, June 9- Sunday, June 12 and Thursday, June 16-Sunday, June 19.
Times: The increased service runs between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. The trolleys will run every 20-25 minutes between trolley stops.
Trolley Stops: Sugarlands Visitor Center (last pickup 9 p.m. to Elkmont), Laurel Falls Trailhead (last pickup 9 p.m. to Elkmont), Elkmont (last trolley from Elkmont back to Laurel Falls or Sugarlands, 11 p.m.)
Cost: $.50 at Sugarlands and $.25 from Laurel Falls (one way fare).
Note: Visitors can bring lawn chairs. Trolley also provides daily transportation stops to these locations throughout the summer beginning in Gatlinburg.
§ Park Rangers and volunteers will be posted at several locations to help manage the traffic and direct people to alternative parking and trolley pick up points.
§ Park Rangers and volunteers will provide guided walks and talks 8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., June 12-19. (Bring a flashlight.) They will also be on hand to assist visitors with safety and other information, and distribute blue cellophane to cover flashlights so that the light does not interfere with the firefly synchrony. “We greatly appreciate the willingness of Gatlinburg city officials to increase the trolley runs in the Park. Parking is the main issue, and we strongly encourage visitors, including local residents, to use the expanded trolley service or take the time to carpool. Parking at Sugarlands Visitor Center and catching a trolley at that location is the recommended option since there is adequate parking.”
There are an additional six species of fireflies that display at Elkmont this time of the year. “The difference in the synchronous fireflies from the other species is that they synchronize the periods during which they light and don’t light, said Keith Langdon, Chief of the Inventory and Monitoring Branch. “A short time ago we believed that the synchronous firefly only existed in the Park at Elkmont. We have received reports of the synchronous firefly activity in many other areas both in North Carolina and Tennessee and we are devoting time this year to identify other locations that we can direct people to view these particular insects doing their synchrony behavior.”
