Grandfather Glows Event Updates

To plan your visit: Read more about the Grandfather Glows Events | Read about our 10 species of fireflies and illuminating insects.

Grandfather Glows Schedule

7 p.m.: MacRae Meadows (Gate 3) opens for parking. Navigate to Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, N.C. MacRae Meadows is just south of the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate on U.S. 221. Look for signs that say “Event Parking” along U.S. 221.

*Please note that there have been some recent closures (with detours) along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain. These detours may add some time to your trip if traveling this way from the north along the Parkway.

To enter the event, you must show your Eventbrite tickets – either by a printout or by phone. We will be scanning all tickets this year. Your tickets (with QR codes) were attached to the Eventbrite confirmation email you received when you purchased tickets.

Please be prepared to roll down your windows so we can get an accurate count of the number of folks in your vehicle.

7-8 p.m.: Educators will be roving the parking area to answer questions. Picnics are welcome, but please pack away all trash since we have bears in the park. Alcohol is prohibited.

7:40 p.m.: 20-minute fireflies program by park naturalists in parking area

8:15 p.m.: Guests can begin walking or riding the shuttle to the viewing area.

It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to walk to the viewing location from the parking area. The walking trail is a bit steep, but once a person is on the park road, the slope is gentle. The shuttle ride will take around 15 minutes (not counting the wait time to load the bus). Please plan the gear you bring with these notes in mind.

8:15-9 p.m.: Educators will be roving the viewing area with information about night critters, astronomy and more

8:45 p.m.: Last shuttle to the firefly viewing area leaves the Meadows.

8:45-9 p.m.: Attendees will be encouraged to select their viewing location and get settled in for the show to start!

9 p.m.: Meadow Gate closes. To view the fireflies, you must arrive before this time.

9-11 p.m.: Viewing time, sitting in your chair or on a blanket (Please note, firefly activity increases after it has been dark for 20 minutes or so.)

11 p.m.: Shuttles will start running back to the parking area. Those wanting to walk back to their car before 11 p.m. may do so. Parking attendants will have the exit gates open at 10:15 p.m. for visitors to leave early if they wish to do so.

Rain Date

It is important to understand that your firefly viewing opportunity may occur on the event date or the backup rain date (the day immediately following the event date). If deemed necessary, the call to cancel the event due to inclement weather will occur by noon on the day of the viewing event. If the rain date event is also canceled by GMSF, you will receive a full refund for your ticket.

It is extremely important that all ticket holders check their email the day of the event to see if the event is happening as expected or is being moved to the rain date. GMSF will make the call by noon on the event date and notify folks by email.

What to Bring

The firefly viewing area will be along the park road. Participants should bring easy-to-carry chairs for the viewing event. Picnics (small coolers and baskets) are also welcome at this event. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Grandfather Mountain will have event T-shirts, stickers, general merchandise and drinks for sale at the event.

Blankets would also be helpful for seating or staying warm. We will provide red-light flashlights and/or red cellophane to cover your flashlight.

Port-a-John toilets will be available in the parking area and in a single location along the viewing area (near where the shuttles will unload).

What to Wear

You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Summer nights on Grandfather Mountain are often much cooler than folks expect. Bring layers! Appropriate clothing and footwear are very important. The event will still be held in the event of light rain or drizzle. Rain gear is recommended.

Accessibility

New in 2023, we are very excited to share that the event is accessible for those in a wheelchair. Once shuttled up to the viewing area, individuals in wheelchairs are allowed to go as far up the park road into the viewing area as they would like. There will also be an area designated for those with limited mobility at the bottom of the viewing area, near where shuttles drop off and pick up.

Event participants will have the option of walking to the viewing area (an approximate 5- to 10-minute walk on a trail that will be illuminated with lanterns) or taking a shuttle.

The firefly viewing area is located on a quarter-mile section of the park’s road. Interpretive tables will be scattered throughout this quarter mile.

Rules/Expectations

• Participants must stick to the paved path and designated areas. Moving off of these designated areas harms the fireflies. This rule will be strictly enforced.
• Flash photography is prohibited. The illumination of a cell phone screen will also disrupt the fireflies and cause them to stop flashing. Please keep cell phone use to a minimum.
• Red-light flashlights will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own lights, but they must be red lights. Red cellophane is another good alternate to use to cover any lights you must use. The mountain will have some red cellophane, but participants are also welcome to bring their own. No other colored lights will be allowed as it disrupts the fireflies.
• Noise during the event should be kept to a minimum. For the safety of yourselves, and others, please keep movement from area to area down to a minimum, as well.
• Do not capture fireflies.
• Alcohol is prohibited.
• Pets are not permitted.