You Can See the Synchronous Fireflies at This Lesser-visited U.S. National Park — But You Need to Enter a Lottery to Get a Spot

"One of the best places to witness synchronous fireflies, this 26,000-acre national park near Hopkins, South Carolina hosts an annual viewing event (May 16–25, 2024) for the Photuris frontalis—nicknamed Snappy Single Sync—whose individuals flash about every 0.65 seconds and fly low to the ground. Because demand has surged, entry is limited to 145 passes per night obtained through an online lottery (one household entry allowed; April 4–10 entry window; $1 nonrefundable lottery fee; $24 event fee per vehicle if accepted; applicants notified April 16), and accepted vehicles (one two-axle passenger vehicle, up to eight people) may enter on an assigned night between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. Visitors must stay on the Firefly Trail, may only use red-filtered flashlights pointed at the ground, cannot use cell phones as cameras or lights, must avoid insect repellent, and must not catch or disturb the fireflies. During the event the park closes to daytime visitors at 4:30 p.m., backcountry permits are suspended, and areas including the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and boardwalk, Bannister Bridge Canoe Launch, parts of Cedar Creek, and Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds may be closed. Beyond the light show, the park is noted for enormous champion trees (the biggest of their kind), very large turtles, and hand-sized spiders, and drew about 250,114 visitors last year." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines