This Firefly Phenomenon In Tennessee Will Enchant You In The Best Way Possible

Tennessee is full of unique places, from historical sites to some of the most beautiful and wonderful natural landmarks in the entire country. From the mountains to the Mississippi River, we truly have it all. We even have one spot hidden in the glens of the Great Smoky Mountains that is so unique, there isn’t another spot like it in the entire Western Hemisphere. The thing is – it’s not so much the spot that’s unique, it’s what lives there. The synchronous fireflies in Tennessee put on one of the best natural light shows in the world and you don’t want to miss it.

Windslash/ Flickr

Did you know that Tennessee is one of the only places in the world that is home to a rare type of firefly? What makes them special is that when they light up, every one of them in the area will all light up at the same time, completely in sync with each other. Pretty neat, huh? This makes for one spectacular show, unlike any other time you may have seen fireflies.

Roberto Marchegiani/ Flickr

Once fireflies reach adulthood (the form in which they fly around and light up), they only live for about 21 days. That means this phenomenon only happens for about three weeks per year. So with such a small window of opportunity, it is important to plan ahead. This is one of those once and a lifetime kind of moments and you don't want to miss it.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park/ Flickr

The fireflies are located in a specific area near the Elkmont Campground and is the largest population of these synchronous fireflies in the Western Hemisphere. This is also close to the fascinating ghost town of Elkmont.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park/ Flickr

Guided trips are available for folks wanting to visit the fireflies, but the park issues passes via a lottery system. For more information on how to get one of these passes, visit the Great Smoky Mountains website. If you don't get a lottery pass, you can also see some fireflies in Cades Cove near the Abrams Falls trailhead or in the Cataloochie Valley.

NPS/Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The fireflies are usually in season at the end of May or the beginning of June. It will vary from year to year and the best way to find out the exact time for that year is to follow the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's web page.

李 彥璋/ Flickr

What do you think? Pretty crazy, right? Just remember that the fireflies put on their light show every year in the end of May or beginning of June, so if you miss them this year, there's always next year. Trust us - they're worth waiting for.

Take a closer look by watching this video from CBS Sunday Morning:

What an amazing experience! Whenever you travel out to see the fireflies you will need a red light flashlight so you don’t disturb the fireflies as they do their show. Make sure you pick up one before your trip so you are ready to witness the most spectacular show in the Smokies.

Speaking of amazing experiences, check out this tour that will show you a side of Tennessee you’ve never seen before.