SUNSET: 
2Some ideas for those who still need a place to go on April 8, 2024, to see the total solar eclipse.
Michael Zeiler / GreatAmericanEclipse.com
It’s time to make a plan for totality. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible from within a path some 100 miles wide across Mexico, 14 U.S. states, and southeastern Canada.
Some may have been planning this trip for years and have already made reservations in hotels a year or more ago. Others are looking at a more flexible scenario, driving to wherever the weather is predicted to be clear.
However, for those who haven’t made any reservations and would prefer to have at least a “Plan A” signed and sealed, all is not lost.
Prices for hotels close to the centerline, the line that runs through the center of the path of totality where totality is longest, are already sky-high. This is particularly true in U.S. states where there’s a higher chance of clear skies, such as Texas as well as Oklahoma and Arkansas. However, in recent months organizations have announced many dozens of events, many of which can be booked online. These events vary hugely in size and scope. Some are purely RV and camping events. Others are music festivals, which often include lodging of the camping variety. There is also a sprinkling of observation-only events with speakers, science activities, and even live NASA broadcasts.
The price range is just as large, with some festivals charging just $100 for five nights camping while RV spots can go for over $1,000 for the same timeframe. Book with caution, because “no refunds are available if mother nature does not cooperate” is a common stipulation for most of these events. For those who want to photograph the corona, do check if tripods are allowed (they tend to be banned at music festivals).
All of these events either have availability at the time of writing (in late July 2023) or are confirmed events that will soon begin selling tickets. And all of them are within the path of totality, though their distance to the centerline varies.
Find all things eclipse — including weather forecasts, observing guides, and events and lodging — in Sky & Telescope's eclipse resources page.
Sinaloa, Mexico
Portal Eclipse Festival, April 5–9, 2024
Event type: Music festival (includes camping/RV)
Location: Ecoaldea Sembrando Vida, Mazatlán, Sinaloa (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 11:07 a.m. MST, 4 mins 25 secs
Further information
Texas, U.S.
Ground Zero Music Festival, April 3–9, 2024
Event type: Music festival (camping/RV available separately)
Location: Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena, Bandera, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 13:31 CDT, 4 mins 9 secs
Further information
The Fredericksburg Hot Air Balloon Solar Eclipse Festival, April 8, 2024
Event type: Hot air balloon festival
Location: Grapetown Vineyard, Fredericksburg, Texas (Google Map)
Local time and duration of totality: 13:32 CDT, 4 mins 17 secs
Further information
Total Eclipse Viewing Party Pillar Bluff Vineyards, April 7–9, 2024
Event type: Camping/RV, with some music
Location: Pillar Bluffs Vineyard, Lampasas, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 13:35 CDT, 4 mins 24 secs
Further information
The Sun Festival, April 5–9, 2024
Event type: Music festival (includes camping/RV)
Location: Lometa Regional Park, Lampasas, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:35 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 13 secs
Further information
Pearl Texas Solar Eclipse RV & Camping, April 6–9, 2024
Event type: Camping/RV
Location: Pearl Community Center, Gatesville, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:36 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 17 secs
Further information
Happy Times Eclipse Family Funfest, April 5–9, 2024
Event type: Observation only (camping/RV available separately)
Location: Equine Fields, Pebble Mould Ranch, Pop Ranch and South Burnett, Burnet County, Texas
Local time and duration totality: varies (all are close to the centerline)
Further information
Texas Eclipse 2024, April 8, 2024
Event type: Music festival (no lodging)
Location: Reveille Peak Ranch, Burnet, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:34 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 23 secs
Further information
Stonehenge II, April 8, 2024
Event type: Observation (camping/RV available separately)
Location: Ingram, Texas (Google map)
Local time/duration of totality: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 25 secs
Further information
Kerrclipse 2024, April 5–8, 2024
Event type: Folk music festival
Location: Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, Texas (Google map)
Local time/duration of totality: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 23 secs
Further information
Kerrville Eclipse Festival, April 8, 2024
Event type: Festival, including music and science presentations (free)
Location: Louise Hays Park, Kerrville, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:32 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 25 secs
Further information
Eclipse Over Texas, April 8, 2024
Event type: Observation only, includes science presentations and activities
Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:38 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 12 secs
Further information
Oklahoma, U.S.
McCurtain County Solar Eclipse 2024, April 4–9, 2024
Event type: Camping/RV (dry)
Location: Fenley Farm, Valliant, Oklahoma (Google maps)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:45 p.m. CDT, 3 mins 59 secs
Further information
Arkansas, U.S.
2024 Solar Eclipse Festival, April 4–11, 2024
Event type: Festival with multiple activities (camping/RV included)
Location: Blue Zip Line & Farm, Mena, Arkansas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:47 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 7 secs
Further information
2024 Solar Eclipse Camping, Arkansas, April 3–10, 2024
Event type: Camping/RVs, day pass also available
Location: J & L Hay Farms, Center Ridge, Arkansas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:52 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 13 secs
Further information
Campin’ in the Dark Eclipse 2024, April 3–9, 2024
Event type: Camping/RVs
Location: Hutcherson Road, Russellville, Arkansas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:50 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 14 secs
Further information
Ecliptic Music Festival, April 5–9, 2024
Event type: Music and art festival (includes camping/RV), day passes also available
Location: Cedar Glades Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:49 p.m. CDT, 3 mins 46 secs
Further information
Eclipse On The Farm, April 5 – 8, 2024
Event type: Festival, including music (includes camping/RV)
Location: Springfield, Morrilton, Arkansas (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:50 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 12 secs
Further information
Illinois, U.S.
Bald Knob Cross of Peace, April 8, 2024
Event type: Observation only
Location: Bald Knob Cross of Peace, Alto Pass, Illinois (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:58 p.m. CDT, 4 mins 9 secs
Further information
Willow Springs Awakening Eclipse Festival, April 3–8, 2024
Event type: Music festival
Location: Willow Springs Campground and Venue, Tamms, Illinois (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 1:58 p.m. CDT, 3 mins 56 secs
Further information
Indiana, U.S.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, April 8, 2024
Event type: Observation only
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 3:06 p.m. EDT, 3 mins 40 secs
Further information
2024 Indiana Solar Eclipse Festival, April 5–8, 2024
Event type: Music festival (camping/RV available)
Location: Wagler Motorsports Park, Lyons, Indiana (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 3:03 p.m. EDT, 4 mins 4 secs
Further information
Ohio, U.S.
Total Eclipse Fest 2024, April 6-8, 2024
Event type: Observation only
Location: Great Lakes Science Center, North Coast Harbor, Cleveland, Ohio (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 3:13 p.m. EDT, 3 mins 50 secs
Further information
New York, U.S.
Totality in Tupper, April 7-8, 2024
Event type: Observation only
Location: Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, Tupper Lake, New York (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 3:24 p.m. EDT, 3 mins 33 secs
Further information
Vermont, U.S.
The Whiteout
Event type: Music festival
Location: Jay Peak Ski Resort, Jay, Vermont (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 3:26 p.m. EDT, 3 mins 31 secs
Further information
Ontario, Canada
Cosmologists Without Borders, Ontario
Event type: Observation (Free)
Location: Base31, Picton, Ontario (Google map)
Local time and duration of totality: 3:21 p.m. EDT, 3 mins 4 secs
Further information
Editor's note (Aug. 28, 2023): The duration of totality in the Illinois location listed above has been corrected, it is 4 minutes, 9 seconds.
Jamie Carter is the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024.
Comments
misha17
August 22, 2023 at 10:37 am
If you are not traveling but plan to watch the eclipse locally, the Labor Day weekend will be a good time to make some preparations for good viewing areas in your vicinity. During that weekend the Sun will have approximately the same position in the sky as it will have during the eclipse.
Find the time of the eclipse for your location, and visit potential sites for scenic backdrops, solar visibility, etc.
If the eclipse will be a "deep" partial in your area, check out places with wildlife so you can watch the reaction of wildlife - especially birds - as the lighting takes on a "twilight" aspect near maximum eclipse.
Finally, although foliage around Labor Day will be in full growth, compared to just coming out of winter dormancy in April, look for areas with trees nearby, and look at the ground in the shade. You will lots of sun images on the ground - the "pinhole camera" effect as the sunlight shines through all the gaps between the leaves.
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misha17
August 22, 2023 at 10:39 am
... during the eclipse all the Sun images in the tree shade will have "bites" in them as the eclipse occurs.
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