Copyright Janet Groene 2026
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S ROUNDUP Of RV PARK NEWS HOT OFF LOCAL PRESSES U.S. & CANADA
Summer is Winding Down but There' s Still Time for
RV TRAVEL FOR FIREFLY SEASON
After dark your campsite turns into a firefly fairyland
Remember those days in your childhood when families gathered to watch the firefly show on summer evenings? Those times can still be rekindled if you know where and when to find these incredible bugs wIth their flashing fannies.
Sad to say, fireflies aren’t as abundant as before, due to factors such as loss of habitat and use of pesticides. On the plus side, the 165 species of native fireflies are still seen and often celebrated with festivals, concerts, hikes and tours. On the science side, they are the subject of seminars, workshops and programs.
Here’s just a sample of ways to add firefly magic to your RV travels each year. Seasons vary depending on latitude and each place's temperatures and rainfall . Generally fireflies put on their best show May through August and, in some areas, well into September and October.
The most famous firefly events occur during the synchronized firefly seasons at Smoky Mountains and Congaree national parks. At these times, the little sparklers flash in sync as a way of attracting mates. However, these events have become so popular, attendance is by lottery. Sign-up begins weeks ahead so plan now for the show in 2027.
Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania is a long-time favorite for firefly fans. Blue Spring State Park in Florida is also named as a good location and, because of the warm climate, firefly season may start as early as March or April.
Here’s another way:
Do browser searches for Firefly + State Name or Firefly + Festival or Firefly + Campground. Try Firefly + State Park. Also search for Lightning Bug by state. A new website, SpaciousSkies.com names dark sky campgrounds, where astronomy is the focus but dark nights may also be best for viewing fireflies in season.
The Little Smokies Firefly Watching Workshop in Portsmouth, Ohio, usually scheduled in June in Tremper Mound Preserve, costs $300 per person including some meals and a personalized course. Wall Doxey State Park in Mississippi offers guided firefly tours for families during the last weekend of May. Madison, Georgia holds its Firefly Festival the last weekend in July. In Alabama, Huntsville Botanical Gardens has firefly tours in season for the price of garden admission.
Be patient, Be choosey.. Some firefly events are also concerts, art shows or carnivals that have nothing to do with the actual insect. Some events are in dark sky locations and require advance reservations. Some are free. Some change admission. Many are in parks or places with RV camping on site.
For more information: See Firefltatlas,org for map of North America showing firefly sites. Filter by month and type of firefly. Also see an excellent guide to firefly sightings, places and events at https://theexploreist.com/usa/best-places-to-see-fireflies-in-the-united-states
CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
These news breaks are from our local sources and are not intended for travel planning. Note the news and follow up on your own to get an earlybird chance at reservations.
NEW RV PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS, FACILITIES
The Hillview Recreation Area, Hinton, Iowa expects to have its new equestrian campground open before the season ends in mid-October. Accommodations will be provided for horses and for campers including fire ring, picnic table and grill at each site. Space will be provided for RV and trailer parking. The 580-acre county recreation area also offers campgrounds, swimming, hunting, hiking, biking, cabins, picnic shelters and playgrounds. The spring opening date is May 1. (712) 947-4270
A new, 50-site RV park is planned for Salt Spring, British Columbia, but it sounds more like a project to provide affordable housing for locals than a destination for RV travelers. The plan calls for 40 permanent rentals and 10 short-term pads, The park will have a laundry, showers, recreation areas and a community building. Check out the developing story at rvalliance.ca
The Tourism Information Centre is at (250)-537-5252 · Toll-free: 1-866-216-2936
CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS
Now open again after upgrades, the campground in By-Mac Park in Houston, British, Columbia now has 24 RV sites with access to water and 30-amp electric. The campground also has a boat launch on the Morice River, a new wash house, upgraded day use facilities and, better parking. . Some work continues so check ahead at District of Houston, (250) 845-2238, doh@houston.ca /
RV travelers will have to wait a little longer for the opening on the upgraded campground at Otsego Lake State Park, Gaylord, Michigan. A lightning strike delayed the opening of the 44 new, fully serviced RV sites. It’s hoped that the new campground will open by Labor Day. (989) 732-5485
After a century of serving vacationers, the 11-acre Little Boy Resort and Campground in Longville Minnesota is for sale. Owners are retiring. The resort has nine cabins, 18 campsites, 25 RV sites, and a tavern and a new lodge. (218) 851-5692
EVENTS
See the feature above for information on connecting with firefly seasons. These events, many of them at campgrounds or in national and state parks with campgrounds, are heavily booked during firefly season, so the time to make reservations for 2027 is NOW.
October 31 is the date for this year’s Fall Festival at Vogel State Park, Blairsville, Georgia. Enjoy music, crafts, vendors, demonstrations, arts and lots of great Georgia food, all in the color and cool nights of autumn in Chattahoochee National Forest, with Lake Trahlyta in the foreground.
Storytellers will be at Possum Holler and there will be pumpkins, trick or treating, hayrides and a cake walk. The campground offers hookups, playground, dump station, boating, fishing, mini-golf, hiking and mountain biking trails and a visitor center. (706) 745-2628
Fall foliage meets red rocks at the Fall Festival in Slide Rock State Park, Sedona, Arizona on October 3. Although the traditional apple picking isn’t offered in the park this year, it’s the historic site of a 43-acre orchard founded in another era. The festival offers interpretive programs, a bird walk and a geology walk with park rangers, a presentation on the role of bees and apple orchards and history talks about the old apple barn, the orchard and the area. For information go to https://azstateparks.com/slide-rock/events/fall-fest-at-slide-rock/ Phone: (928) 282-3034 The park is day use only. Campgrounds are minutes away in scenic red rock country.
CLOSURES
Be prepared for some closures of some camping facilities now through spring, 2029 at the Ridge Campground in Cook Forest State Park, Leeper, Pennsylvania. The park is getting a new shower house and other new, modern facilities. Closures will be random as needed, so check ahead. (814) 744-8407
No comments:
Post a Comment