Congaree National Park to be swarmed by fireflies soon. Here’s how to see the unique SC event
Fans of the synchronized fireflies at Congaree National Park could soon have their best chance to see the annual event in years.
As in recent years, the park is set to begin a lottery on Thursday for viewers of the popular natural phenomenon. However, this year the park has made changes to the experience.
“The goal of these changes is to enhance visitor access and opportunities for viewing the synchronous fireflies and further improve the long-term sustainability of this annual event,” the park website states.
Fireflies viewing details and changes
The fireflies viewing event will be held May 13-16 and May 19-24. Those who win the lottery will be charged $24 for the entrance fee to the event. Changes to the event this year include:
- Allowing more vehicle passes for each event night. There will be 130 vehicle passes available for each evening of the event.
- Having more event nights.
- Increasing the event fee by $5 to provide each vehicle with a low lumen red light flashlight to reduce the amount of ambient light in the viewing area, which better protects the fireflies.
- Set times for event entry have been changed to 6:30-8:30 p.m. to reduce the impact of vehicle headlights on firefly activity.
Fireflies lottery details
- The lottery opens to apply for an event pass at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
- The lottery will accept applications through 10 a.m. on April 12.
- Applicants will be notified if they were selected on April 17.
- All applicants are charged a non-refundable $1 service fee upon lottery entry.
- Applications are limited to one per household.
- People can apply for the lottery by clicking here.
Synchronous fireflies
Congaree National Park has for years hosted the fireflies event, in which visitors can witness an amazing display of thousands of the insects flash in synchronization in search of mates. There are only three species of synchronous fireflies in North America, making the Congaree event a fairly unique experience.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the park had no limit on the number of people who could visit to see the fireflies. In 2021, the park began a lottery system. While people had been viewing the fireflies for years, the park held its first official Fireflies Festival in 2017, which was expanded in subsequent years.
What event attendees need to know
- The park asks that event attendees follow certain protocols to help protect the fireflies.
- Keep your flashlight use to a minimum and only use lights that have a red mode or have a red filter.
- Whenever you do use a flashlight, keep it pointed to the ground.
- Cellphones are forbidden in the viewing area as either a light source or for taking photos and video.
- Visitors must remain on the designated Firefly Trail.
- Catching or disturbing the fireflies is forbidden.
- Only apply insect repellent prior to arrival at the park.
Park closure during firefly event
Certain areas of the park will be closed to all visitors at 4 p.m. daily from May 7-27 to protect critical firefly habitats. Below are the details about the closures.
- The park entrance road will be closed at 4 p.m. daily to all incoming vehicle traffic.
- All parking lots, front country trails and park facilities will close at 4 p.m. All park visitors, regardless of whether they have a pass for the firefly event, must exit the park at this time.
- The Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds will be unavailable for reservation during the event.
- Bannister Bridge Canoe Access will be closed during the event. South Cedar Creek Canoe Access will be open for anyone who wants to use park backcountry trails, including Kingsnake, Oakridge and River Trails.
- No backcountry camping permits will be issued during the event.
This story was originally published April 3, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
