United states smoky mountain elkmont campground, leconte, and fireflies 2012 planning a trip for june 7 for long weekend trip to smoky mountains. Today, elkmont is primarily a campground within great smoky mountains national park. Come join emory and check out the fireflies at elkmont. Elkmont description located along the little river in the great smoky mountains national park, elkmont is one of the most popular camping areas in the smokies.
There are 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park, but photinus. Generators may be prohibited in certain areas of the campground. Due to the unseasonably warm spring, the synchronized fireflies found in elkmont at great smoky mountains national park are presenting earlier than ever recorded according to park officials. Elkmont is located in the upper little river valley of the great smoky mountains. Updated great smoky mountain synchronous firefly dates. They are found in t he great smoky mountains national park at the little river trail. I most certainly would camp at elkmont as all tennessee gsmnp campgrounds will be full with the possible exception of look rock perhaps others can attest to the firefly event attendance. Elkmont campground is located in the smoky mountains national park, adjacent to gatlinburg, tn.
Its never to early to start making plans to see the synchronous fireflies and the blue ghost fireflies that will light up the night sky in late may and early june 2020 in the great smoky mountains. During the 8day event, the road into elkmont campground is closed to cars and pedestrians in the evenings. The lottery period for the 2019 synchronous fireflies official park passes was just announced. Oct 30, 2014 elkmont campground and dayuse rentals. Campground reservations in the smokies can be made six months in advance. Elkmont campground footpath to elkmont nature trail j a k e s c r e e k funding provided by great smoky mountains association nature trail little river levi trentham trail cemetery wonderland cemetery campground campground office jakes creek trailhead elkmont vicinity to little river road ranger station restrooms interpretive trail campground. Elkmont campground is open from the second week of march until december 1st. One can hardly tell the story of great smoky mountains national park without recalling the rich history of elkmont, tennessee. Elkmont great smoky mountains national park elkmont. Park officials will run shuttles into the area to see the fireflies from may 30 through june 6. This guide includes info on tickets, 2020 dates, and info on getting tickets for 2020. Frontcountry camping great smoky mountains national park u. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national park. Synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park.
Fpv scooter tour great smoky mountains national park elkmont campground at elkmont campground in the great smokey mountains national park there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails to explore. Smoky mountain synchronous firefly event 2020 heysmokies. Big and busy are the two best words to describe elkmont campground. Things to do while staying at elkmont for the synchronous fireflies. Elkmont campground nps campground in gatlinburg, tennessee. But our fireflies didnt blink in unison, which is what makes the fireflies at great smoky mountains national park such a big deal so much of a big deal, that the park has set aside this june 411 for special firefly viewing near the elkmont campground. You can only make reservations up to six months in advance, which means if you want to see the fireflies in late mayearly june, you need to make a reservation in late novemberearly december of the prior year.
Reservations for the frontcountry, group and horse campgrounds can be made by either calling 8774446777 or visiting. Synchronous fireflies in elkmont cabins usa gatlinburg. As we pulled into our site at elkmont campground, we were greeted by the park ranger who let us know we had to be out of the campground by noon tomorrow. Elkmont campground is the access point in great smoky mountains national park. Elkmont is a region situated in the upper little river valley of the great smoky mountains of sevier county, in the u. Throughout its history, the valley has been home to a pioneer appalachian community, a logging town, and a resort community. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national park u.
You can only book your site within 6 months of the date on recreation. Frontcountry camping great smoky mountains national park. As you can imagine, this rare display draws a lot of people, so the park has created a special event for viewing the fireflies which limits traffic and ensures the best viewing experience for anyone who attends. Make reservations online during summer or fall or call 8774446777, toll free. Affected reservations have been cancelled and refunds have been issued. Synchronous fireflies are a phenomenon a rare species in the world known to synchronize their flashing light patterns. Early fireflies prompt elkmont road closure facebook. May 15, 2019 every year in late may or early june, thousands of visitors gather near the elkmont campground located in the great smoky mountains national park, to witness the naturally occurring phenomenon of photinus carolinas, a firefly species known for flashing synchronously. View the amazing synchronous fireflies in the smoky mountains. Campground campground office jakes creek trailhead elkmont vicinity to little river road ranger station restrooms interpretive trail campground telephone hiking trail parking horse trail picnic area accommodates larger rvs camp supplies amphitheater trailersanitary station campground shelter disability access h6 h5 h3 h1 h8 h11 g23 g24 g25 g26.
Jan 31, 2020 synchronous fireflies fill the forest at the elkmont campground in the great smoky mountains national park in gatlinburg, tennessee thursday, june 7, 2018, where 984 people from places as far as. Truly one of the natural wonders of the world, the elkmont fireflies are one of two groups of synchronized fireflies in the world. Synchronous fireflies in the great smoky mountains. I most certainly would camp at elkmont as all tennessee. Elkmont campground, great smoky mountains national park. Synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park and one of only a few species in the.
Its almost that time of year again, to see the synchronized fireflies at elkmont. For medical purposes only cades cove, elkmont and smokemont offer. Elkmont campground gatlinburg, tennessee campground. It is the closest campground to gatlinburg, tennessee. During the peak firefly display period, the park organizes a shuttle service from sugarlands visitor center to the elkmont viewing area where a large population. Therefore, the only two ways to see the synchronous fireflies at elkmont is by getting your campsite like i did or get the parking passes through the lottery system. Visitors watch the synchronous fireflies at the elkmont campground in the great smoky mountains national park on june 3, 2019. Smoky mountain elkmont campground, leconte, and fireflies. Columnists knoxvilles top workplaces book of lists gogreenet careers. Right here in the smoky mountains, near the elkmont campground, is the largest population of synchronous fireflies in the western hemisphere. The campground does not have electric, water, or sewer hook.
Apr 15, 2020 want to see the synchronous fireflies in the smoky mountains. They are the only species in america whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns. It is also ground zero if you want to see the amazing synchronous fireflies or lightning bugs light up the sky. Great smokies campsites for viewing synchronous fireflies quickly. The 2019 dates for the official smoky mountains national park synchronous fireflies event will be announced in late april. Jun 28, 2018 elkmont campground reopens after evacuation due to flooding. Jun 01, 2017 synchronous fireflies again light up the smokies.
Reservations open at 10 am for the date 6 months out. Great smoky mountains national park officials have announced the dates for the firefly viewing event in elkmont. Campsites at abrams creek, balsam mountain, big creek, cades cove, cataloochee, cosby, elkmont, and smokemont may be reserved online or by phone at 877 4446777. How do i get tickets for synchronous fireflies in the smoky mountains. If you book for fireflies, you will want to book a site thats close to section n or. Its been the location of a logging town and a vacation. Making advance reservations are recommended if you would like to guarantee a camping spot. Additional information about camping reservations, including. With 200 sites, the campground is easily the largest and busiest campground in the park.
The flashing is actually a mating ritual unique to this species of fireflies. Special rules will likely apply so check with park regarding the pet rules. To book a campsite in great smoky mountains national park, visit. This location may be closed, not accepting new reservations, or is operating. Elkmont is a story of dreams, hope, hard work, disappointments, fortunes made, and fortunes lost. Flashlights and camera flashes are prohibited, though park rangers do provide a red cellophane covering for flashlights so you can find your way to and from. Elkmont campground great smoky mountains national park u. The little valley mountain resort offers great smoky mountain cabin rentals for elkmont visitors. The rangers will allow exactly two groups of people into the elkmont campground area. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national. Synchronized fireflies at elkmont in gatlinburg, tn. Elkmont is pretty much full during the summer season regardless of any extra such as the fireflies. Elkmont campground has 200 tent rv campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire. Additionally, their peak flashing period is within the same time period as the viewing dates at elkmont campground.
And trust me, if you need a weekend spot, you need to plan to make those. Elkmont campground has 200 tent rv campsites with paved driveways, gravel. Beginning as a rough and tumble logging town, elkmont gradually evolved into a haven for the socially prominent and wealthy members of knoxville, maryville, and chattanooga. The elkmont campground phone number for information is 8654361271. Advance reservations are required at abrams creek, balsam mountain, big creek, and cataloochee campgrounds. Located only eight miles away from the famous town of gatlinburg, this is the number one stop at the great smoky mountains national park. Elkmont campground is one of 10 frontcountry camping options inside the great smoky mountains national park. The old elkmont cemetery was the cemetery for the former elkmont community in great smoky mountains national park. However, it is surrounded by extensive history, river access, hiking trails and is also home to world famous synchronized fireflies. Unless you have already reserved a spot in the elkmont campground, you will need to purchase a parking pass for the firefly shuttle from the sugarlands parking lot to the elkmont viewing area. The fireflies are best viewed in late may or early june. During the event, elkmont is closed at a certain time at night with the exception of shuttle users and campers in elkmont campground. Fireflies blink through the woods during the elkmont fireflies viewing event at elkmont campground in great smoky mountain national park in gatlinburg, tennessee on wednesday, june. This will give you a little more flexibility in viewing the fireflies.
Elkmont campground in great smoky mountains national park, gatlinburg. The reservations are nonrefundable and we didnt get selected in the lottery. Elkmont campground is located just 8 miles from gatlinburg inside the great smoky mountains national park. We spent a week here, to enjoy the national park and hoping to get a glimpse of the synchronous fireflies. Start as soon as is possible to get your reservations online for campsites as i am sure you already know. Things to do while staying at elkmont for the synchronous. The closest town is gatlinburg if you must leave the national park. In addition to camping, elkmont also offers several nice hiking trails, fishing, and a ranger station. The dates for the 2019 synchronous firefly shuttle operations calendar will be announced april 22, 2019. All the details and everything you need to know about the synchronous elkmont fireflies event in the smoky mountains national park. It is a two week window in june where thousands of fireflies blink in synchronized fashion near the elkmont campground. When the logging industry left and the resort community forced out, quite a few. Elkmont historical district is one of the most popular destinations in the park. Each male and female will have a specific pattern and this is how they find each other.
Elkmont campground great smoky mountains national park. The way these fireflies present displays of mating are the the light patterns they show off. Or you can just spend the day floating on the little river. When the logging industry left and the resort community forced out, quite a few historical buildings remained.
Synchronous fireflies elkmont campground, little river. To start, elkmont campground is rather primitive campground as are all the other campgrounds inside great smoky mountains national park. Great smoky mountains national park campsites at elkmont are rapidly. Elkmont fireflies great smoky mountains national park forum. Elkmont campground is the largest campground offering in great smoky mountains national park. Evening access to the sugarlands visitor center and elkmont campground will be restricted to those possessing parking pass confirmation. Synchronous fireflies elkmont 2020 smoky mountains video.
Every year thousands of visitors gather near the popular elkmont campground to witness this harmonious magic. Theyre closing we finally got one bar of cell rece. To get to elkmont go to the sugar lands visitors center on 441 and turn right, then go about 4. We made reservations for may 31 to june 6 in the hopes of seeing the fireflies. When you can view synchronous fireflies at elkmont. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a onestop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations.
Campground a large and busy 200site campground at 2,150 ft. Rv camping at elkmont campground great smoky mountains national park. Synchronous firefly viewing at elkmont up the creek rv camp. The everpopular synchronous firefly viewing is going on now at elkmont in the great smoky mountains national park. The elkmont ghost town used to be known as the appalachian club and was a vacation community. Elkmont fireflies great smoky mountains national park. The closest dump stations to elkmont are at cades cove, look rock, and across the road from sugarlands visitor center which is about 6 miles from elkmont. They have already sold out for the first 6 days of june 2017. Elkmont campground in gatlinburg tennessee is a campground or rv park that allows pets to stay. So, youve secured your camping spot at elkmont for the. This is a difficult reservation to get in early june because the synchronous fireflies make an annual appearance in the hills above the campground. Additional information about camping reservations, including reservation time frames.
A view of the synchronous fireflies lighting up elkmont campground. Elkmont tn used to be a logging town and was located where the existing elkmont campground now stands and was owned by the little river lumber company. Park announces synchronous firefly viewing event dates. The campground is a pleasant oasis from the crowds that can swell at great smoky mountain national park. Viewing for the synchronous fireflies is in elkmont. Between 980 and 1100 come to the campground to watch the phenomenon. Elkmont campground is an ideal basecamp to visit the wonders of great smoky mountains national park. Group camping and wheelchair accessible ada sites are also available. Consistent rain sent the little river over its banks and into elkmont campground.
Great smokies campsites for viewing synchronous fireflies. We were fortunate to be staying at elkmont campground as the little river trail starts from the entrance of the campground on the right. Growing up, chasing fireflies was a popular afterdusk summertime activity. There is a great camp store next to the campground that has supplies, ice cream, ice, and firewood. The shuttle service to the event site is still scheduled to take place from june 210 for ticketed reservation holders only. Pollinators black bears birds amphibians fish mammals reptiles synchronous fireflies. Every year in late may or early june, thousands of visitors gather near the elkmont campground located in the great smoky mountains national park, to witness the naturally occurring phenomenon of photinus carolinas, a firefly species known for flashing synchronously. There are a limited amount of passes, so they fill up quickly reserve as soon as possible. As a result, the only way to enter elkmont during this period is to book an overnight campsite in the campground or to arrive at elkmont via a trolley that brings visitors from the. The ticketed event will take place from tuesday, june 2 through tuesday, june 9. It was during the synchronous firefly display, which was really an awesome thing to see. Some call them fire flies, some call them lightning bugs but theyre actually bioluminescent beetles, a species known to scientists as photinus carolinus, and one of their most spectacular light shows takes place each june at elkmont in great smoky mountains national park.
Elkmont historic district in the great smoky mountains. We had to plan ahead to get a camp site at elkmont campground. There are several small paved areas at the elkmont shuttle stop where fireflies can be viewed. Elkmont campground reservations can be made at recreation. This campground has 220 campsites and visitors use them all. With 220 sites you have many options for where you want to camp. The fireflies can only begin their mating ritual when they are enveloped in complete darkness. If you like camping with pets this campground or rv park is an option. With the little river running through the campground, you can enjoy some waterfront camping and several nearby fishing holes. All visitors wishing to view the synchronous fireflies at elkmont must have a parking pass distributed through the lottery system at.
The synchronous fireflies at elkmont start around june 8 and last for two weeks. This years viewing of the elkmont fireflies is expected june 6. The campground is the largest and busiest campground in the park. Apr 11, 2017 during the event, elkmont is closed at a certain time at night with the exception of shuttle users and campers in elkmont campground. Capturing video of synchronous fireflies in elkmont has proven difficult for visitors over the years and seeing a video of them doesnt even come close to how amazing the light show looks in person. Below is a video that a visitor took that gives an idea of what the gatlinburg synchronous fireflies look like when they get in sync. Elkmont campground is the largest campground in great smoky mountains national park. The males will fly and flash and the females, remaining stationary, will respond with a flash. Elkmont campground is the largest and busiest in great smoky mountains national park. We stayed to see the annual synchronous fireflies and couldnt have been happier. Elkmont campground gatlinburg, tennessee rv park campground. Elkmont campground reopens after evacuation due to flooding.
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