Breathing Bluff: Synchronized Fireflies at Congaree National Park
South Carolina is home to a breathtaking phenomenon that occurs yearly around mid-May to June: synchronized fireflies. The bluffs of Congaree National Park create the perfect breeding environment for the three species of synchronized fireflies present in North America. For around two weeks, these fireflies engage in their mating ritual by flashing their unique bioluminescence in synch with each other. Read on for more information on these special creatures.
Photo: firefly.org
How do I view the fireflies?
Every year, Congaree hosts a firefly viewing event multiple nights during the phenomenon. In order to attend the event, you must enter a lottery on recreation.gov and win a ticket. This system was implemented to protect the firefly population and manage crowds. The 2023 lottery is closed now, so check Congaree’s website and socials early next year for another chance at viewing. Until then, check out this video which contains footage of the phenomenon as well as other information about the fireflies.
What’s the big deal?
Most of us see fireflies (also known as lightning bugs) in our back yards year after year. These fireflies flash sporadically, and usually don’t synch up with the others around. The three species of synchronous fireflies in North America, however, are collectively synchronized, meaning they flash at a slightly different tempo yet a similar enough rate to one another to appear like they’re all flashing at once. Their lights make it look as if the forest is alive and breathing. The Congaree bluffs, which is the area in between the upper pine land forest and the floodplain, create the perfect environment for these picky critters to thrive.
Photo: NPS
I got a ticket for the event! What should I know?
Congrats! Read any correspondence from the park as well as their website for important info. Here are some general fireflies etiquette pointers:
Do not apply bug spray in the park. This may harm the bugs that you’re there to see!
Anything with a source of light (think phones, flashlights, headlights) should be covered with red film and only used when absolutely necessary. The park will have some red film available.
Leave your jars at home! Catching fireflies in the national park is not allowed.
Stay on the designated trail. If you go off trail, you may trample fireflies that are beneath the leaves.
Congaree is one of only a handful of places in the world where you can see synchronous fireflies. Yet another reason why we love the Midlands! We are so lucky to be located right beside the biodiverse wonderland of Congaree. If you want to check out the park during the day, check out our guided canoe tours, which take you through the heart of the park on Cedar Creek.