Quick Details
(Sold out? Click here to sign up for 2027 Firefly Tours, on sale December 2026.)
Price
The rare experience of fireflies in our National Park, with guaranteed viewings, at $165 per ticket.
Dates
May 28 – June 6, 2026
Tours run nightly for 10 consecutive evenings.
Time
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Arrival at 7:00 pm, followed by the seminar
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Depart for firefly tour around 8:30 pm
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Return to vehicles between 11:45 pm and midnight
Please prepare for a late evening!
Location
We meet at a lodge approximately 35 minutes west of Asheville.
The exact address is provided in your confirmation email after booking.
Seminar Details
Your ticket includes an in-depth presentation on the biology and local lore of Blue Ghost and Synchronous Fireflies, led by Jennifer Gruhn, PhD, biologist and owner of Asheville Hiking Tours.
Attendance at the seminar is required, as we cover important safety and conservation guidelines that help protect these sensitive species. Seminar includes seating, restrooms and complimentary drinks.
Transportation
Transportation from the lodge to the firefly-viewing sites is included. Personal vehicles are not permitted due to National Park restrictions and logistical limitations.
Guests travel in either a high-roof passenger van or Ford Expedition.
Drive time: ~25 minutes
Booking Information
Each guest must book their own ticket to complete a required series of tour-related questions. This ensures guest safety and an optimal experience, for both the fireflies and you!
Optional Lodging
Two private rooms, each with a queen bed, are available upstairs at the lodge where the seminar is held, for an additional $145/night per room. Rooms share one bathroom, and share the lodge with tour staff and family. Photos are provided when booking. If available, the lodging option will appear during checkout.
Best Viewing
Firefly activity is similar each night, and pricing is the same across all dates.
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This is the BEST synchronous firefly location we have ever had in eight years of tours.
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Blue Ghost Fireflies are typically more abundant earlier in the date range.
Group Size
Approximately 14 guests per night for an intimate, safe experience.
Restrooms
Restrooms available at the seminar lodge. One restroom break during the firefly viewing portion of the tour.
Ages
Minimum age is 12 years old. We are not permitted to take younger children due to nighttime safety and conservation limitations.
Difficulty
Easy night walk in the woods. Terrain includes stumps, roots, and stairs that we navigate carefully using red flashlights. We cannot accommodate guests with vertigo, injuries, or medical limitations that affect safe walking in the dark. A basic level of fitness is required.
What to Wear
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No sandals, permeable shoes, or white shoes. Trails may include mud or puddles that are difficult to see at night.
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Closed-toed shoes required
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Dress in layers for variable nighttime mountain weather
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Pants recommended for comfort and safety
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Bring a jacket and raincoat
What NOT to Bring:
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Flashlights (do not bring, we provide red flashlights!)
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Chairs (do not bring!)
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Cameras or videography equipment (do not bring!) Any non-red light disrupts firefly behavior and is not allowed.
Cancellation Policy
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Cancel at least three weeks before the tour to receive a full refund.
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Tours may be cancelled by the operator the morning of the event due to:
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High likelihood of rain
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Unusually cold weather
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Several days of storms in advance
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If a tour is cancelled due to weather, all guests receive a full refund.
Your Ecotourism Impact
A significant portion of proceeds from our Firefly Experiences goes directly to Pisgah National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park to cover annual permitting costs. Your participation supports conservation, research, and responsible ecotourism on our public lands.
Max 1 person per booking
Discover the uniqueness of Appalachia’s fireflies! What are guests saying about our Firefly Tours?
“A truly magical tour with an outstanding guide! We saw an incredible number of fireflies in a dazzling display of nature. Our guide… was a naturalist rock star – she taught us to appreciate our surroundings and to strive to preserve the fragile natural world. The hike was thoughtfully conducted for access in the dark. My husband said the tour made him feel like a kid again. I recommend this tour company to all ages and all skill levels. We will definitely use them again.” – TripAdvisor Review
“This tour is a must if you’re here during the two weeks the magic happens, and Asheville Hiking [Tours] is the one to make it happen. Their knowledge is so deep you have the highest chance of seeing the Blue Ghosts and learning the most, too.” – TripAdvisor Review
“This amazing ecotour … far surpassed my expectations. [Our guides] truly care so much about protecting these precious creatures…they gave us special red flashlights that don’t interfere with the delicate fireflies mating rituals. We were introduced to the special world these fantastic beetles inhabit. We heard several species of frogs, Chuck will’s widow, and of course the fireflies. As an added bonus we also saw the synchronous variety of fireflies. I cannot recommend this tour enough.” – TripAdvisor Review