For about two weeks every June, the woods of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee light up under a swarm of fireflies.
This year, park visitors hoping to see the synchronous fireflies will need to enter a lottery.
During the eight-day peak viewing period, access to the Elkmont area -- where fireflies are most visible -- is limited to visitors who park at the Sugarlands Visitors Center and take a shuttle to the viewing area. The shuttle system is meant to reduce congestion, provide safe viewing for visitors and limit the disturbance to the fireflies during their mating period.
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The synchronous fireflies have an elaborate and spectacular mating pattern that illuminates the Great Smoky Mountains like a gentle strobe.
The lottery for 1,800 parking passes will open at noon on April 29, and run until May 2 at 8 p.m. Results will be announced May 10.
The exact dates for the eight-day event are yet to be determined. Because of environmental conditions, the timing is near-impossible to predict accurately, according to the National Park Service.
Additional reporting by Associated Press.