Congaree National Park Firefly Viewing Lottery
Congaree National Park is home to a number of different species of fireflies, but it is the synchronized fireflies that lure thousands of people to the park each spring. These fireflies are one of only a few species around the world that synchronize their flash patterns in a majestic ritual that heralds the coming of summer. This late springtime display is part of their annual mating ritual that takes place for approximately two weeks, typically beginning around mid-May, along the edge of the Congaree floodplain.
During the evenings of May 13-20, 2026, entry to the park will be limited to 145 vehicles displaying a valid event pass. Event passes will be distributed via lottery in order to provide an equitable opportunity for all interested visitors in this limited, yet high-demand event. During the event, the park entrance gates will close to entry at 4:30 PM. Day-use visitors must exit the park by this time. Access to the firefly viewing area will open to ticket holders at 7:00 PM.
Please visit the park’s Fireflies webpage for additional information about this event.
• Lottery Opens: April 7, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
• Lottery Closes: April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
• Results Announced: April 17, 2026
• Event Dates: May 13-20, 2026
Congaree National Park is home to a number of different species of fireflies, but it is the synchronized fireflies that lure thousands of people to the park each spring. These fireflies are one of only a few species around the world that synchronize their flash patterns in a majestic ritual that heralds the coming of summer. This late springtime display is part of their annual mating ritual that takes place for approximately two weeks, typically beginning around mid-May, along the edge of the Congaree floodplain.
During the evenings of May 13-20, 2026, entry to the park will be limited to 145 vehicles displaying a valid event pass. Event passes will be distributed via lottery in order to provide an equitable opportunity for all interested visitors in this limited, yet high-demand event. During the event, the park entrance gates will close to entry at 4:30 PM. Day-use visitors must exit the park by this time. Access to the firefly viewing area will open to ticket holders at 7:00 PM.
Please visit the park’s Fireflies webpage for additional information about this event.
• Lottery Opens: April 7, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
• Lottery Closes: April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
• Results Announced: April 17, 2026
• Event Dates: May 13-20, 2026
Need to Know
- Lottery for Parking Passes
Event passes will be distributed via lottery in order to provide an equitable opportunity for all interested visitors in this limited, yet high-demand event.
There will be a total of 145 vehicle passes per evening available for each night of the event.
Only one application per household will be accepted.
You must enter the date you would like to attend; you may choose up to six dates.
Vehicle parking passes are $25.00. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1 non-refundable application fee. Lottery winners will automatically be awarded the parking pass, and the remaining balance of $24 will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee. If the charge to the card is declined for any reason, the reservation will be forfeited.
There are no refunds, transfers, rain checks or changes to reservations.
- Awarded Passes
Successful applicants for event passes will be notified of their selection on April 17, 2026.
Winners will be awarded a parking pass for one of their specified dates. This date cannot be changed once the pass has been awarded.
Vehicle pass holders must be present in the vehicle upon arrival and must present photo identification which matches the name on the vehicle pass.
Reservations are non-transferrable.
This is a rain or shine event. No refunds or rain checks will be issued should firefly activity be diminished due to external influences such as weather or due to natural firefly behavior and their life cycles.
- Parking and Event Entry
- Entry into the parking area will begin no earlier than 7:00 PM.
- Entry into the parking area will close at 8:30 PM to reduce the impacts of vehicle headlights shining into the viewing area where synchronous fireflies are active.
- All vehicles may have no more than two (2) axles and must be able to park in a standard parking space (9’x18’).
- No vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license will be permitted.
- Oversize vehicles including, but not limited to, RVs, large passenger vans (e.g. Nissan NV, Mercedes Sprinter), vehicles towing trailers, or buses of any size will not be permitted.
- All passengers must be legally seated and secured inside the vehicle.
- Vehicles may have not more than 8 passengers total.
- Accessible parking spots are limited. If you require accessible parking, please contact the park prior to the event night so that staff can ensure necessary parking is available.
- Event Information
To reduce ambient light and help protect the fireflies during this event, only flashlights with a red-mode function are permitted for use in the firefly viewing area to. Cell phones are not considered flashlights and will not be permitted to be used as such.
Low lumen red light flashlights will be provided to visitors upon entry to the event. One flashlight will be provided per vehicle with a valid entry pass for that evening.
Flashlight use while on the trails should be kept to a minimum and on the lowest brightness level possible. Flashlights should always be pointed towards the ground and turned off when not walking.
The firefly viewing area is located adjacent to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. For the most enjoyable experience during this event, please be aware of the following: The Harry Hampton Visitor Center and park bookstore will be open to event participants until 10:00 PM.
Restrooms and water will be available outside of the Visitor Center until 10:00 PM.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited. Please refrain from the use of cell phone cameras for photos and/or videos, as they produce light that can disturb both the fireflies and fellow visitors.
This is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather, visitors can take shelter in the Visitor Center or in their vehicles. Please wear or bring appropriate clothing for the evenings forecast.
- Prohibited Items and Activities
Due to limited space in the firefly viewing area, strollers and wagons are prohibited for this event. Parents with infants and young children are encouraged to bring a carrier.
Pets are not permitted at this event. Service animals are welcome.
Large backpacks, coolers and/or lawn chairs are prohibited in the viewing area.
Grills or camping stoves may not be used.
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages will not be permitted during this event.
Vehicles requiring a CDL, with more than 2 axles, with seating for more than 8 passengers, or requiring a parking space larger than 9’x18’, are prohibited.
Bug spray kills and repels the fireflies visitors come to see, so its use should be minimized; bug spray should be applied prior to arrival at the site and not applied after entering the park.
- Cost
Congaree Firefly Viewing Experience Lottery
Vehicle Parking Pass - $25.00
Max Number of Passengers – 8 (All passengers must be legally seated)
- Changes and Cancellations
There are no refunds, changes, or cancellations allowed for this event. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1.00, non-refundable application fee. Successful applicants will automatically be awarded a vehicle entry pass, and remaining balance will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee. If the charge to the credit card is declined for any reason, the reservation will be forfeited. Passes for no shows will be forfeited and deemed void, and refunds will not be issued. Entry passes are only valid for the date specified.
Changes and Cancellations
Cost
Congaree Firefly Viewing Experience Lottery
Vehicle Parking Pass - $25.00
Max Number of Passengers – 8 (All passengers must be legally seated)
Changes and Cancellations
There are no refunds, changes, or cancellations allowed for this event. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1.00, non-refundable application fee. Successful applicants will automatically be awarded a vehicle entry pass, and remaining balance will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application fee. If the charge to the credit card is declined for any reason, the reservation will be forfeited. Passes for no-shows will be forfeited and deemed void, and refunds will not be issued. Entry passes are only valid for the date specified.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
100 National Park Road Hopkins SC 29061
Phone Number
803-776-4396
