Grandfather Glows: Firefly Viewing
Research on Grandfather Mountain has confirmed the presence of 10 species of fireflies or luminous insects, including synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus), blue ghost fireflies (Phausis reticulata) and glowworms (Orfelia fultoni). Synchronous fireflies are habitat specialists and thrive in northern hardwood forests, such as those found at Grandfather Mountain.
These glowing wonders only appear for a few weeks each year. Our annual Grandfather Glows events open our nature park for three nights during late June to early July for the forecasted peak times for special bioluminescent evenings, weather and conditions permitting.
Grandfather Glows Events
Each of the three event dates have the same schedule, lasting approximately four hours (7 – 11 p.m.).
Grandfather Glows begins in MacRae Meadows with educational programs led by the park’s naturalists and then transitions up to the viewing area in the park before dark. This event is a “viewing” event, so please expect to find a spot in the designated viewing area and plan to be there for the event. It is understood that you may need to use the restroom (we will have porta potties onsite) and you may be encouraged by staff to visit certain areas to see something interesting at times – but, in general, the less movement people make, the better the chances to see a good show from the fireflies.
Red-light flashlights will be provided, and guests should come prepared for cool weather and with appropriate footwear for an evening on the mountain. Guests are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and to be prepared for a variety of the mountain’s weather conditions. Food and drinks are permitted, though alcohol is prohibited.
Pets are not allowed, and flash photography is prohibited. Attendees will be provided with a more detailed set of rules and firefly viewing etiquette prior to their event.
Wheelchair Accessibility + Viewing Area for Those With Limited Mobility
We are 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. Please note, the road is on an incline, so wheelchairs may need some assistance to move up the road. There will 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 from MacRae Meadows (approximately 300 yards of walking) or taking a shuttle. The firefly viewing area is located on a quarter-mile section of the park’s road. Staff will be roving the viewing area to provide additional educational opportunities.
Important Info for 2025
Grandfather Glows has received a lot of attention and interest in its first three years. To better manage that interest and create a smoother registration process, Grandfather Mountain will once again be instituting a lottery system for tickets. Please note: We will sell tickets to the event to lottery winners at a per-person rate. “Winners” will able to purchase a maximum of six tickets.
Read more: Firefly Species on Grandfather | Grandfather’s Unique Ecology | Preserving Grandfather
Photo by Jim Magruder | Magruder Photography