Each spring and early summer, fireflies return to the Congaree National Park and mysteriously synchronize their flashing. SC’s only national park hosts a synchronous fireflies viewing event for ~two weeks between mid-May and mid-June when this natural phenomenon occurs. This year’s event will take place from Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 25.
The awe-inspiring display of synchronous flashing has become so popular that visitors now can only see it if they are selected from a lottery.
How it works
- The lottery opens on Thursday, April 4, and closes on Wednesday, April 10. Winners will be notified on Tuesday, April 16.
- All applicants are charged a $1 fee upon lottery entry. Those selected will be charged the remaining $24 to secure their passes.
- Passes admit one passenger vehicle with up to two axles + eight passengers.
- Passes are non-transferable and valid only for the specified date.
What to expect
The gates for those with passes will open at 7 p.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. Pro tip: The best time to view fireflies is between 9 and 10 p.m., but be aware — bad weather can affect firefly activity.
Congaree National Park emphasizes the well-being of fireflies because this phenomenon only happens in a handful of places. To protect firefly habitats, certain areas of the park will close daily at 4:30 p.m. between Thursday, May 16 + Saturday, May 25.
Follow these firefly rules
- Minimize flashlight use and use only red-mode lights or lights with a red filter.
- Avoid using cell phones for light or photography/video in the viewing area.
- Stay on the designated Firefly Trail while exploring.
- Refrain from catching or disturbing the fireflies.
- You can apply insect repellent before arriving at the park, but no repellent can be applied after entry.
