Firelies of the species Photuris frontalis synchronize their flashes along the forest floor on the edge of the Congaree floodplain every year in the late spring, captivating those that view them/NPS file

Congaree National Park in South Carolina will be the place to be in May if you want to watch hundreds of fireflies flickering in unison.

The event will take place from May 14 to May 21. Passes will be required to enter the park on event nights and will be awarded through a lottery system hosted through Recreation.gov.

This year’s event will feature some slight modifications compared to past years with the continuing goal of providing the best viewing experience possible for visitors and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this signature annual event. These updates are based on continued improvements in the park’s ability to forecast when synchronization will reach peak and observations and feedback from visitors attending past events. Modifications include:

• Scheduled event dates occur during the period of peak firefly synchronization, so that visitors can experience this phenomenal natural display at its best.
• A decrease in the event fee by $5 by providing low lumen red flashlights for pass holders to borrow and return at the end of the evening.

This year’s pass lottery will begin at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 3 and will remain open for one week, ending at 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, April 9. Entries must be made through the online lottery page at https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300008 and are limited to one per household. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1 non-refundable service fee upon entering the lottery. Applicants who are awarded passes will be charged the remaining $19 event fee to secure their pass, for a total cost of $20. A total of 145 passes will be available for each event night. All applicants will be notified on Wednesday, April 16, whether they have or have not been awarded a pass.

Passes will admit one passenger vehicle with up to two axles that can fit in a standard parking space. During the event, vehicles such as RVs, vehicles with trailers, large passenger vans, buses or mini-buses, will not be admitted. Vehicles may have a maximum of eight passengers. Passes may only be used one time, are only valid for the date listed. Passes are non-transferable. Gates on event nights will open for those with valid event passes beginning at 7 p.m. and close to entry at 8:30 p.m.

To best protect critical firefly habitat and allow park staff and volunteers to prepare for the event, certain areas of the park will be closed to all visitors daily at 4:30 p.m. daily (month/day-day). During this period the following areas will be closed:

• The Harry Hampton Visitor Center, boardwalk, and frontcountry hiking trails.
• Bannister Bridge Canoe Launch.
• Cedar Creek between Bannister Bridge and South Cedar Creek Canoe Launch.
• Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds

Additionally, no backcountry camping permits will be issued during the period of the viewing event.