Midlands planners get $325K to expand Congaree firefly access

The Central Midlands Council of Governments received the funding from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission to lead "Lanterns in the Wild," a planning effort aimed at developing sustainable tourism around the synchronous fireflies while evaluating the impact on their habitat. The project comes as demand for viewing passes far exceeds supply—the park awards just 145 passes per night for a short window in May, with this year's lottery already completed for the May 13-20 event. Currently, Congaree National Park holds an April lottery through Recreation.gov, awarding passes at $25 per vehicle. This year's lottery opened April 7 and closed April 14, with winners notified April 17. The rigid system means thousands of South Carolinians and tourists miss the chance to witness the rare natural spectacle, where thousands of male fireflies flash in synchronized patterns over roughly two weeks between mid-May and mid-June. The regional council's two-year planning initiative will examine both the benefits and drawbacks of expanding firefly tourism in the Congaree Biosphere Region. Jory Fleming, the regional environmental planner leading the effort, can be reached at [email protected] or 803-898-4524 for those interested in the project's progress. Park officials have already implemented strict protections during firefly season—day-use visitors must exit by 4:30 p.m. starting May 12, and certain areas including the Harry Hampton Visitor Center boardwalk and campgrounds close entirely during the viewing window. The initiative reflects growing recognition that the synchronous fireflies represent significant economic potential for the Midlands while requiring careful stewardship. With the 2026 event now locked in, the planning effort positions South Carolina to potentially transform how one of nature's most spectacular shows reaches the public.