Fireflies at Elkmont

The Smoky Mountains don’t just feel like a magical place, they really are a mystical destination. The phrase “old as the hills” rings true when you really dive into the old lore of the mountains. When you come to visit, take this otherworldly tour and investigate for yourself. Here are six of the Smokies’ best kept secrets.

1. Elkmont Trollbridge

Escape to a place that really feels like a glimpse into a mythical land. The Elkmont Trollbridge is a true hidden gem that only locals know about. Hike along the Little River Trail until you reach this spot. Covered in moss and mushrooms, the Trollbridge is perfect for capturing pictures or looking for hidden fantastical creatures.

2. House Of The Fairies

This whimsical spot is only a mile from downtown Gatlinburg yet it feels like you’ve been transported into another realm. Map to this magical place, then go out and explore. Here, you’ll find towering trees and moss covered logs and boulders. Then at the end of the trail you’ll see it...an arched doorway, that looks like it’s almost cut into the side of the hill, sits with a wooden ladder leaning against the frame. Step inside and find a cool spring, filled with water that tinkles like bells.

3. Synchronous Fireflies

The synchronized fireflies that come out every year like clockwork might be more science than magic but when you’re sitting among the trees and they begin to spark in unison, flickering in and out of sight, it feels like something otherworldly. This rare phenomenon is only seen in a few places in the world and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.

4. Elkmont Ghost Town

Once a thriving vacation spot for the Knoxville elite, the Elkmont Ghost Town looks like a legend brought back to life. Recently restored, explore inside the homes and hike trails where you will find the remains of homes once occupied by Appalachian locals who would serve, supply and work in the town. This piece of history is frozen in time and feels like stepping back into the past.

There are many magical places in the Smokies and these are only four of them. Don’t stop here, continue to search for more mystical creatures and sprites living in the trees and hollows. To discover more, stay overnight in the mountains in a log cabin. This cabin is even called Magical Moments, which is exactly what you’ll find when you visit the Smoky Mountains.

Think of all the hundreds of awesome reasons thousands and thousands and thousands come to the Smokies for the Summer season, what would you say is one of the most popular reasons? The rides and summer events at Dollywood and Dolly's Splash Country? Absolutely. Events like Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, the 4th of July fireworks and parade? Yes, indeed! The arcades and family fun parks all along the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg downtown parkways? Of course! The mountaintop rides, sights and attractions that you take awesome aerial rides to get to like Ober Gatlinburg and Anakeesta Village? Naturally, yes! The lightning bugs that gather at Elkmont to do their yearly performances for us? Oh ye... wait, what's that? People come from all over the planet to see fireflies in the Smokies?

Yeah, they sure do, and it's an event that easily reaches the same heights of seasonal importance as any special events or amusement parks we have in East Tennessee. The Elkmont fireflies are an incredible phenomenon - a huge population of fireflies come together at Elkmont (and all across the Smokies for that matter) and perform what can best be described as a "synchronized light show". They do so in a pattern that is difficult to photograph and get video of as their bioluminescent light comes in 5-8 small flashes, a short period of darkness, and then more. It's a ritual they do to attract a mate.

One thing to note is that the event at Elkmont, despite its popularity, is only able to hold a limited number of people and tickets/passes to view the event. SmokyMountains.com writes:

"The 2018 dates for the official Smoky Mountains National Park synchronous fireflies event are from Thursday, June 7th to Thursday, June 14th. The lottery will take place beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 27th. The synchronous fireflies lottery will end on April 30th at 8:00 p.m. ET. Once the passes go on sale, you will be able to purchase them from Recreation.gov. For each of the seven evenings, there are 111 advance parking passes (first-come, first-serve), 36 large vehicle passes (first-come, first-serve), and 85 day before parking passes sold (on sale the day prior. On Wednesday, May 9th each of the lottery applicants will receive notification on whether or not a vehicle pass will be awarded. If you are selected, you will be charged a $20.00 (per vehicle) fee for the pass by Recreation.gov and an additional $2 (cash-only) fee per-person while boarding the shuttle.

The parking pass that you purchased will allow one vehicle to park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center (must have pass). After parking your vehicle, you and your group will ride the trolley to the Elkmont campground area. The trolley, which accepts only cash, will cost an additional $1 per person for the round-trip ride to Elkmont.

Since flashlights disrupt the fireflies and are an annoyance to other visitors, the Rangers and National Park require that the lens is covered in red or blue cellophane and that the flashlights are only used to navigate to and from the viewing area.

The entire trip will last between three and six hours. Once you are seated, get comfortable and expect activity of synchronized fireflies to start up around dusk. However, if the moon is bright, expect this to delay the start of the show by 30 minutes or more. We highly recommend bringing some small chairs or a blanket to sit on."

Elkmont is located Southwest of Gatlinburg on Fighting Creek Rd. Our cabins located in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg would likely be the most convenient vacation homes nearest to Elkmont, but even if you aren't able to get to Elkmont for the fireflies, don't worry, they are EVERYWHERE here in the Smokies during the summer and you'll be very likely to see them without going anywhere! See our cabins CLICK HERE .