Nighttime Forest and Fireflies Hike
Offered Daily
May 22,2025 - June 1, 2025
June 26, 2025 - July 1, 2025
Western NC is home to 17 species of firefly, including the Blue Ghost Firefly. Join us for an epic night hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where we'll look for this elusive firefly species. Your guide will lead you to a prime viewing location and will share fascinating insights about this species. This special tour fills quickly - reserve your spot today!
Red light flashlights are required (and provided) for this tour, as white light can impact firefly behavior. Participants are encouraged to wear pants; closed toe shoes are required. To protect the delicate habitat, photography and videography are not allowed.
Cost:
$145 per person
Cost includes a guided hike, snacks, transportation between Asheville and the trailhead, and the use of a red-light headlamp during the hike. This hike requires 2 participants to operate; maximum group size is 6 hikers. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll reach out to the registered participant 48 hours before the trip to discuss options.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select your desired trip date. This hike is available daily from May 22 - June 1 and from June 26 - July 1.
Itinerary:
After meeting at our downtown Asheville location, the group will drive about an hour to the trailhead. The hike is easy to moderate, on wide and well-graded trails. Total hiking distance is under 2 miles, allowing plenty of time to stop and enjoy the fireflies. While you're hiking, the guide will tell you about the history of the area, as well as native plant life found in the forest. Participants should pack an extra warm layer (even in the summer, temperatures can be cool at night) and wear closed toe shoes. This hike is accessible to folks with most fitness levels. This tour is recommended for participants aged 14 years and older.
Tour departs Asheville at 7pm, and returns around 10pm. Hike is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.
While we've planned this experience in an area and season where Blue Ghost Fireflies are known to inhabit, we are unable to guarantee firefly sightings. The impact of flooding due to Hurricane Helene on local firefly populations is not yet known.
Guides:
Lindsey Barr
Lindsey grew up in central North Carolina, where she developed a love for science and the outdoors. She was introduced to camping and hiking at a young age through Girl Scouts, and went on to earn a Girl Scout Gold Award. In 2012, Lindsey left her aerospace engineering career behind to follow her dream of helping to introduce others to the outdoors in a welcoming and empowering way. When she isn't at work, you can find them exploring area trails and waterways, enjoying Asheville's live music scene, or in their art studio. In addition to hiking and backpacking, she enjoys paddling, rock climbing, fly fishing, knitting, and stained glass.
Eli "Little Bit" Adams
Born and raised in South Florida, Eli fell in love with the outdoors during a year-long stay in Hawaii and pursued a career in environmental education. With years of experience in adventure guiding, from kayaking hidden mangrove tunnels to summiting local mountains, she has been a naturalist and hiking guide in the Blue Ridge Mountains for over four years. She earned the trail name "Little Bit" because of her keen eye for small forest discoveries.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 1 week before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 1 week, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.
If your guide does an outstanding job, please show your appreciation with a tip! Our team of well trained, professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity is 20% of the trip cost.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.