A stacked image of fireflies in the Smoky Mountains. Credit: Peleg Lab at CU Boulder
The National Park Service is opening a lottery at 10am to give people an opportunity to surround themselves with the glow of thousands of fireflies.
Why it matters: Tennessee'sElkmont Campground at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (about a four-hour drive from Nashville) offers tourists the chance to watch fireflies illuminate the night in search of mates for roughly two weeks each spring.
How it works: The synchronous firefly viewing will take place June 3-10.
NPS uses a randomized computer drawing system for reservations to reduce park traffic that would disturb the fireflies.
A total of 1,120 vehicle reservations, 140 per night, will be issued through the lottery.
What's next: Visit Recreation.gov to apply. The lottery closes at 11:59pm Monday.
Applicants will find out if they are successful in mid-May.
