Coming solar eclipse excites US state park travelers

Photograph of a total solar eclipse passing over Yellowstone National Park in 2017. US National Park Service.

Another solar eclipse will cross North America next month, and public parks along the eclipse’s path are busy taking reservations, expecting record attendance to see the event.

On April 8, NASA says a total solar eclipse will cross North America mid-day from Newfoundland through New Brunswick, Maine, southeastern Quebec, Upstate New York, southeastern Ontario, northwest Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, parts of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, central Texas, and into Mexico. The eclipse’s path will cross over dozens of US state parks, and parks authorities are busy preparing for the expected influx of visitors hoping to experience the spectacle.

Last year, state parks nationwide saw a boost in visitations due to an annular solar eclipse that crossed the United States, especially in Texas. Their efforts to prepare for higher visitor numbers proved prescient then, justifying state parks’ efforts to get ahead of the influx expected in three weeks.

Lone star preparations

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department started taking reservations for state parks eclipse visits on March 1. TPWD is expecting heavy traffic to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a beautiful park that boasts a large granite dome where visitors can enjoy unobstructed views of the sky from its peak. Reservations to visit Enchanted Rock will be accepted by phone only from now until the eclipse, TPWD says.

Texas parks authorities are communicating loud and clear that they are expecting a mad rush to the Lone Star State’s state parks because of the eclipse. They are warning that potential visitors must plan ahead.

“Texas has 31 state parks within the path of totality, and a partial eclipse will be visible in other state parks,” TPWD said in a release. “Parks in the line of totality are expected to reach capacity, and members of the public are asked not to visit unless they have a pre-purchased day pass or overnight reservation.”

Start spreading the news

New York state parks officials are also gearing up for an influx of visitors hoping to view the rare celestial event.

New York’s state park network has already seen a record 84.1 million visitations last year. That record may be broken again this year thanks to the total solar eclipse projected to pass over a substantial portion of the Empire State, including Niagara Falls State Park, the subject of a major ongoing renovation effort.

“On April 8, dozens of New York state parks and historic sites, including Niagara Falls State Park, will be in the path of a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse,” the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation department recently announced. “Our parks and historic sites across the state will host educational programming, as well as day-of-watch parties for all to attend.”

Officials in Pennsylvania are also preparing for the eclipse. The state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is launching educational programs beginning today to provide tips to state residents and visitors on how best to safely view the total eclipse.

“Pennsylvania is lucky enough to be in the path of totality,” the department said.

Indiana gets ready

Some 18 state parks and state recreational areas in Indiana are planning eclipse-related events.

Indiana is inviting visitors to enjoy the spectacle from all the state parks in the eclipse’s path, including Versailles State Park. But parks officials there are urging interested travelers to plan and to be prepared for the rush in traffic. There won’t be a repeat of this event for many years, they’re warning.

Indiana’s parks managers say next month’s total solar eclipse is expected to cross much of that state. The forthcoming event is “the first since the Great American Eclipse in 2017 and the last until August 2044,” The Indiana DNR says.

The Indiana state parks projected to be in the path of the eclipse include Mounds State Park, Potato Creek State Park, Charlestown State Park, Harmonie State Park, Mounds State Park, Clifty Falls State Park, and many more.