Light show starts in mid June
Unless you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia this year, the only way you will get to experience the synchronous fireflies is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Appalachian Voices provides an excellent explanation of the natural phenomenon. Catch a photographic view of the natural light show at the Knoxnews Blog.

Elkmont Historic District
If you are looking for an excuse to start your trip to the mountains in June, this rare event can be viewed for two weeks in mid-June at the Elkmont Historic District in GSMNP, a wonderful collection of abandoned cabins. The cabins began as part of a logging camp at the turn of the 20th century. Eventually, the area evolved into an elite club for the wealthy of East Tennessee. In 2009, the park service decided to restore these buildings that are now on the National Historic Register.

So, if you can’t time your trip to arrive for the synchronous light show of the fireflies, Elkmont and the Little River Hike should still make it onto your to do list when you visit Mystic Mountain and the Great Smokies.