Get your tenting reservations in place for the 2024 whole photo voltaic eclipse on April 8 so you may expertise this uncommon phenomenon because the moon crosses in entrance of the solar, plunging the U.S. into noon darkness. The path of totality will stretch throughout 13 states within the Eastern U.S., drawing an arched line from Texas to Maine.
A yr goes by quick, and campground websites for large occasions rapidly get booked. If you’re excited about seeing a surprising astronomical occasion from an optimum vantage level, then e book your website quickly (see under for timing).
The Path of Totality
You may bear in mind the Great American Eclipse in August of 2017. In Missouri, my household was within the zone to expertise a major partial eclipse, with round 96 p.c of the solar obscured. We didn’t journey to the zone of totality—which I significantly regretted after listening to how important the distinction was.
Solare eclipse from 2017 as seen from Columbia, Missouri. Photo: Windchu
Some described the entire eclipse because the pitch of evening descending upon noon, with even the birds stopping their regular songs. The partial eclipse I skilled appeared extra like somebody threw a towel over a lamp. It was nonetheless a neat expertise however stopped wanting being the entire journey.
In 2017, I vowed to journey to the trail of totality for the following photo voltaic eclipse crossing my area, a mere seven years away. And now, right here we’re! I’ve determined the place to camp and am able to make my reservations on the day they open.
If you’re inside driving distance of the trail of totality, it’s value touring to it, as even a number of proportion factors of totality make a distinction within the expertise. The length of the 2024 eclipse might be twice so long as 2017, with over 4 minutes of darkness skilled at places within the direct path.
If you’d prefer to make an RV journey to the trail of totality for the 2024 eclipse, listed below are some suggestions:
Photo: Jill Carlson
Where to Camp in Texas for the Total Eclipse of 2024
Texas will maintain the document for probably the most choices to view the 2024 eclipse for the reason that enormous state has a direct crossing. The whole eclipse will make a diagonal line throughout central Texas, occurring between 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. CDT. Major cities within the pathway embody San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Visit one of many massive cities, or enterprise into Texas Hill Country for a cultural deal with. The April climate can be typically hotter in Texas than in the remainder of the viewing space.
Texas Good Sam Campgrounds
Where to Camp in Arkansas and Oklahoma for the Total Eclipse of 2024
Arkansas’s central and northwest area might be within the path of totality round 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. CDT, crossing straight over the state capital of Little Rock. Nearby, Hot Springs National Park gives patches of woodlands and historic Bathhouse Row as focal factors, apart from the eclipse. The Buffalo National River area can even see skies darken over the turquoise waters. More than 50 Arkansas State Parks are within the zone of totality, together with Petit Jean State Park, which has a number of scenic overlooks with wide-open views.
Arkansas and Oklahoma Good Sam Campgrounds
Eclipse considered by way of a pinhole projection. Photo: Joanna Poe
Where to Camp in Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky for the Total Eclipse of 2024
While a lot of Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky won’t be within the zone of totality, the area the place the three states meet might be. This area additionally skilled a complete eclipse in 2017.
Missouri’s southwest nook consists of gems just like the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Echo Bluff State Park, and Elephant Rocks State Park, that are famend for pure magnificence. The city of Cape Girardeau and close by Ste. Genevieve National Historic Park are within the pathway, with the city of Ste. Genevieve showcases a French Canadian heritage relationship to the 1700s.
In Illinois, the trail of totality will cross by way of the faculty city of Carbondale and the Shawnee National Forest. Explore the area’s wineries throughout your go to. A tiny portion of Kentucky could have whole darkness in areas northwest of Paducah. Though Paducah will solely expertise 90 seconds of totality, guests will discover so much to discover, together with the historic downtown alongside the riverfront.
Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky Good Sam Campgrounds
Where to Camp in Indiana and Ohio for the Total Eclipse of 2024
The path of totality will prolong throughout the guts of Indiana, passing by way of Terre Haute, Bloomington, and Indianapolis, the state capital. Several of Indiana’s hottest state parks are within the path, together with Turkey Run State Park, Brown County State Park, and Shakamak State Park.
In Ohio, you may mix your sky-watching with a nationwide park go to at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You’ll discover restored pure respites intermixed with city areas alongside the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The close by state capital, Cleveland, can even plunge into whole darkness round 3:15 pm CDT.
Indiana and Ohio Good Sam Campgrounds
Niagara Falls
Where to Camp in New York and Pennsylvania for the Total Eclipse of 2024
New York might be among the best tenting spots for the entire eclipse, as the trail of totality crosses by way of in style vacationer locations. Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Rochester are proper on path to have a prolonged eclipse round 3:20 EDT. Wide swaths of the Finger Lakes areas might be within the pathway. In the big Adirondacks area, the charming city of Lake Placid can be a superb basecamp.
In Pennsylvania, Erie might be within the direct path, and you may watch Lake Erie descend into darkness at Presque Isle State Park.
New York and Pennsylvania Good Sam Campgrounds
Where to Camp in Vermont and Maine for the Total Eclipse of 2024
Eventually, the entire eclipse will make its approach out of the U.S. and throughout the Canadian border. It can even cross over Vermont and Maine. Camping in these New England states could also be restricted, because the early April climate remains to be chilly, with freezing temperatures doable. Look for year-round campgrounds or examine the opening date while you want to e book.
Vermont’s capital, Burlington, will expertise over three minutes of totality round 3:25 EDT, providing historical past and tradition to discover alongside Lake Champlain.
In Maine, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument might be completely located for viewing the entire eclipse. Several state parks additionally make scenic spots for viewing nature and the eclipse, together with Rangeley Lake State Park and Mount Kineo State Park.
Vermont and Maine Good Sam Campgrounds
How to Plan an RV Trip for the 2024 Total Eclipse
For the 2017 eclipse, hundreds of individuals traveled to be within the path of totality, as evidenced by resort bookings. The identical may very well be true for 2024, which is why it’s necessary to assume forward for those who’d prefer to make a tenting tour out of the occasion.
Eclipse watcher donning protecting eyewear. Photo: Kerri Cox
With the eclipse occurring on Monday, April 8, you might wish to begin your reservations for the Friday or Saturday earlier than, so you may make a protracted weekend out of your travels. Luckily, the zone of totality is crossing over some already-great journey locations. Depending on the place you camp, you may head dwelling after the occasion, or keep the evening of April eighth.
While some campgrounds open reservations greater than a yr upfront, others open bookings 12 months forward, which means the nearer to April 8, 2023, you may make your plans, the higher. Some campgrounds open bookings six months upfront. For these, your purpose can be to e book round October of 2023. If you miss both window, examine round, as you should still discover openings nearer to the occasion.
Photo: Kerri Cox
Then, all you’ll want to do is to seek out some photo voltaic eclipse glasses—so you may safely watch—and seize a blanket or some camp chairs. Locate a great place to take a seat with an open view of the sky, and be ready for an expertise like no different, one which received’t occur once more within the U.S. till 2045.