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Your Last-Minute Guide To Observing The Solar Eclipse In The National Park System

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At first you ignored it, then you paid a bit of attention, but finally the national interest in Monday's solar eclipse swept over you, too. If you want to see the eclipse, either totality or partial, in the National Park System, here's a last-minute guide to where you can do that (times are local to the site).

In no particular order (click on the park name for full details):

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Massachusetts

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park will host an eclipse party at the visitor center on August 21. New Bedford will experience a partial eclipse of the sun on August 21 from 1:29 to 3:01 p.m., with peak shadow at 2:48 p.m. There will be an area set up in their garden space during that time and a limited number of eclipse glasses for people to use. The glasses will be offered to visitors on Monday starting at 1:25 p.m. 

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park will be providing special programs during the weekend prior to the eclipse. These programs are free to the public, but parking might be limited.

Palo Alto National Battlefield National Historical Park, Texas

Don’t fret if you don’t live within the path of totality. You can still see a partial eclipse anywhere within the United States. If you’re planning on enjoying the solar eclipse at Palo Alto Battlefield, the event will begin at 11:28 a.m. and will reach its maximum stage at 1:16 p.m. The event will end at 2:42 p.m.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is not in the path of totality, but Grand Teton National Park is. Yellowstone does not recommend traveling in or out of the South Entrance on August 21.

Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

If you'll be on the Outer Cape during the solar eclipse on Monday, join Cape Cod National Seashore rangers for a special eclipse program at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Washington state

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will experience a partial eclipse in which the moon will cover almost 90 percent of the sun for approximately two minutes. To celebrate this rare event, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will be hosting three Eclipse Viewing Programs which the public is invited to attend.

Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming

On August 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, Eclipse Drop-In Programs: Stop by any time to participate in crafts, demonstrations, and children’s activities while learning about the Solar Eclipse. 10 a.m., Eclipse Watching Party: Join park staff at the monument for a clear view of the big event at 95 percent totality. Bring your own chair and join us. The park will have a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses available.

Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

The area around Cape Lookout National Seashore will be in the 90 percent totality range during the early afternoon hours. The National Park Service will be hosting several public events during the eclipse. These events will be free to attend and include fun experiences for all ages.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

From approximately 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday the eclipse will cross much of the southern section of Parkway on its journey across the United States. Weather permitting, visitors to this section of Parkway, from Milepost 417 – 469, will have the opportunity to experience 100% totality in approximately 17 overlooks. Additional overlooks in this section, and extending north of this area, will experience varying partial totality.

Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia

The National Park Service in Richmond, American Civil War Museum, James River Park System, and Venture Richmond invite the public to experience this event on Brown’s Island from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Staff from these riverfront partners will distribute 600 free pairs of NASA-approved Rainbow Symphony solar eclipse viewing eyeglasses beginning at 1 pm, and pop-up tents on site will feature information on the eclipse as well as upcoming programs along the riverfront. Additionally, a limited-edition National Park Service Junior Ranger solar eclipse booklet and badge will be available to 200 children between ages 5 and 14.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, in partnership with the Shasta Astronomy Club, invites visitors to the park to witness the partial solar eclipse on Monday. The event will be held at the Oak Bottom boat launch parking lot and will commence at 9 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. AM. The eclipse will begin around 9:15 a.m. when the moon first starts to pass between the sun and the Earth, and reach maximum eclipse around 10:20 a.m.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Join park rangers and astronomers from the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) on Monday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Dechow farm in the National Lakeshore’s Port Oneida Rural Historic District to experience the Great American Total Eclipse. At the National Lakeshore, the eclipse will start at 12:57 p.m. and end at 3:39 p.m. Maximum solar coverage of 75.26 percent will occur at 2:19 p.m.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Florida

In Jacksonville, Florida, you should be able to see a greater than 90 percent eclipse of the sun. A great place to experience this event is within the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Join rangers at Fort Caroline National Memorial and at Kingsley Plantation for an eclipse viewing party.

War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam

War in the Pacific National Historical Park is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Program Tuesday, August 22, at 2 a.m. at the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center. Join Park rangers as they remotely connect to the extensive NASA coverage of the total solar eclipse over the United States on the park's large theater screen.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana

Solar eclipse fever has hit Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as the region will experience an 89 percent eclipse of the sun. Please join National Park Service staff, astronomy experts, and volunteers as they host an informal viewing party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk pavilion. The eclipse at the park will take place from 11:55 a.m. to 2:44 p.m., peaking at 1:21 p.m.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host a solar eclipse viewing event at Alley Spring on Monday beginning at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 2:45 p.m. A partial solar eclipse will be visible during the entire event, with the peak eclipse occurring at approximately 1 p.m.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas

Beginning at 8:30 a.m, while supplies last, commemorative solar shields will be distributed from the visitor center on August 21. The eclipse will be visible in some form throughout the United States, and even though the path of totality will be about 70 miles northeast of the park, viewers still be treated to over 95 percent coverage of the sun by the passing moon, a stunning reminder of our constant movement through space.

Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado

The National Park Service at Curecanti NRA will be providing opportunities to view the solar eclipse on Monday. Join rangers at the Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as the moon passes over 85 percent of the sun's face. Bring eclipse glasses if you have them; rangers will have some to share among the viewers. Parking is limited. Please carpool if you can.

Monocacy National Battlefield, Maryland

A partial solar eclipse can be enjoyed at Monocacy National Battlefield. Please join park staff at the visitor center on Monday for their solar eclipse event. Take part in ranger talks, citizen science, make your own pinhole viewer, and other eclipse activities. A limited number of safe solar glasses and pinhole projectors will be available.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Multiple states

Adventure and eclipse viewing awaits along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on Monday. All sites along the 3,700-mile trail will experience a partial eclipse, and many sites in Missouri and Illinois will see a total eclipse. No matter where you visit along the trail, you will be treated to an excellent viewing experience.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is holding a free viewing party at the visitor center from 9 a.m. to noon. At Lake Mead, 71 percent of the sun will be eclipsed. The eclipse will begin at 9:09 a.m. and end at 11:53 a.m. with a peak at 10:28 a.m.

Keweenaw National Historical Park, Michigan

The total solar eclipse will travel from Oregon to South Carolina and cross over 21 national park units and seven trails. On the Keweenaw Peninsula, park staff and visitoers will have a 71 percent eclipse. Those interested in viewing the solar eclipse can attend a public viewing event on Quincy Hill from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The partial solar eclipse (weather permitting) will be at 2:13 p.m.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

A solar telescope and a telescope with a solar filter will be set up in front of the visitor center on the morning of the eclipse for visitors to view the approaching lunar shadow, partial eclipse, and decreasing lunar shadow starting at 9 a.m. At latitude 38 North, Capitol Reef should experience approximately 82 percent obstruction beginning at 10:14 a.m. to 1:01 p.m. The period of greatest eclipse will occur at 11:35 a.m. 

John Muir National Historic Site, California

Join National Park Service rangers for a solar eclipse hike to the top of Mt. Wanda on Monday. Martinez, California, will see about 80 percent of the sun covered by the moon early on Monday, while portions of Oregon will experience a total eclipse. This free, two-hour program begins at 8:30 a.m. with a one-mile, moderately strenuous hike to the top of Mount Wanda. 

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

While Shenandoah National Park will only experience 80-85 percent coverage of the sun at approximately 2:40 p.m. EDT, and will not experience a total eclipse, it is still a great place to learn about and experience an eclipse. Join rangers throughout the weekend and on the day of the eclipse to learn why a solar eclipse happens, what to expect, and how to view it safely.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho

Although Craters of the Moon National Monument is not directly in the path of totality, the park staff is partnering with the city of Arco, NASA, and Idaho State University to provide a special viewing opportunity in nearby Arco, Idaho. Partial eclipse begins at 10:13 a.m., with totality from 11:31:03 to 11:32:42 a.m., and partial eclipse continuing until approximately 12:30 p.m.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, South Carolina

Activities for the public, including an eclipse Junior Ranger activity book and badge for children, will be offered from 1 to 4:30 p.m. “We are anticipating very large crowds at our sites that day since the parks are in the path of totality. This will be a historic and memorable event for all to experience, especially at a national park site,” said acting Superintendent Gary Stansberry. 

Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

Activities for the public, including an eclipse Junior Ranger activity book and badge for children, will be offered from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Liberty Square which is the primary departure point for Fort Sumter, and Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. Trips to Fort Sumter will run as scheduled; however during the period of totality, Fort Sumter itself will be closed to the public.

Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida

St. Augustine residents and visitors will be able to see about 90 percent of Sun being covered by the Moon’s shadow.  Rangers and volunteers at Fort Matanzas National Monument have several activities planned to commemorate this exciting astronomical event. On Monday, join park staff at the visitor center at 1 p.m. for a ranger presentation about the history and cultural perspectives of solar eclipses. The partial eclipse will begin at 1:17 p.m. and the maximum eclipse of 90 percent will be visible at 2:49 p.m. The event will conclude by 4:15 p.m

Homestead National Monument of America, Nebraska

NASA has designated the Nebraska park an official viewing location for the natural phenomenon, and the space agency’s scientists and camera crews will on site for three days of activities, presentations, and exhibits, including a program from the creators of the PBS Kids series “Ready Jet Go!”  the eclipse will pass through the park just after 1 p.m. local time.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon

The total eclipse will be visible from all three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The Painted Hills and Sheep Rock Units are both directly under the center line of the eclipse, and the Clarno Unit is north of center line but still within the range of totality. The eclipse will begin shortly after 9 a.m., with the Sun being completely blocked at or shortly after 10:20 a.m., depending on which unit you are at. The Sun will be blacked out one minute and forty seconds at Clarno and just over two minutes each at Sheep Rock and Painted Hills.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is very near the center of this Path of Totality.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Wyoming

Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming is one of 17 parks spanning nearly 2,700 miles across the United States where audio recordings will be made during the eclipse. The path of totality passes directly over Fort Laramie. Park programming for the event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the parking lot opening around 6:15 a.m. The eclipse will begin at Fort Laramie at 10:24 am and end at 1:13 pm. Maximum totality will be at 11:47 am and will last 2 minutes, 11 seconds.

Stones River National Battlefield, Tennessee

The first 2,500 visitors will receive a complimentary pair of eclipse viewing glasses. Plan to arrive early. The park gate at 1563 North Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro will open at 8 a.m. All other park gates will be closed for the day. We will close the gate at 12:30 p.m. to focus our attention on the one minute and eleven seconds of totality that begins on 1:28:53 PM (CDT) The gate may close earlier if our parking areas reach capacity before 12:30 p.m.

Obed Wild & Scenic River, Tennessee and Kentucky

The entire area of the Obed Wild and Scenic River will fall under the path of totality for the eclipse, providing opportunities for viewing, weather permitting. The following are approximate durations for totality and locations in or near the park. The park is currently planning organized public viewing events at these locations:

  • Obed Visitor Center – 1 minute and 14 seconds
  • Lilly Overlook – 1 minute and 39 seconds
  • Big South Fork Gateway Visitor Center – 2 minutes and 29 seconds

The partial phases of the eclipse will begin at approximately 1 p.m. ET and end at approximately 4 p.m. ET. The total phase of the eclipse will occur at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET, with the duration of totality varying depending on the specific viewing location.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Multiple states

The entire area of the Oak Ridge Unit will fall under the path of totality for the eclipse, providing opportunities for viewing, weather permitting. The following are approximate durations for totality and locations in or near the park. The park is currently planning organized public viewing events at:

  • American Museum of Science & Energy (Oak Ridge Visitor Center) – 24 seconds
  • East Tennessee Technology Park, located at 200 Heritage Center Boulevard, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The partial phases of the eclipse will begin at approximately 1 p.m. ET and end at approximately 4 p.m. ET. The total phase of the eclipse will occur at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET, with the duration of totality varying depending on the specific viewing location.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

The park is offering an opportunity to experience the total eclipse through a special, ticketed event at Clingmans Dome as well as informal eclipse viewing sites at Cades Cove and Oconaluftee. The park is partnering with NASA, Southwestern Community College, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to provide a special program with featured speakers and storytellers that help explain the science and cultural connection to this unique natural event at Clingmans Dome.

Ninety Six National Historic Site, South Carolina

Ninety Six National Historical Site will host a total solar eclipse viewing program from noon to 4 p.m. at the Star Fort Pond on Kinard Road off Highway 246. Ninety Six NHS is in "the path of totality," meaning the park will have one of the best views of the eclipse on the East Coast. Join the park staff at at Star Fort Pond for a viewing of this rare event. The eclipse will start at 1:10 p.m. reaching totality between 2:40 and 2:45 p.m. and lasting for about 2 1/2 minutes.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Because of the density of the forest, Congaree National Park has very few optimal viewing sites from which you can potentially see the eclipse. If you are looking for unobstructed viewing of the eclipse, you may want to consider some alternative viewing locations in the Greater Columbia area.

Comments

Old friend Ted Stout, now Chief Naturalist (Or interp/ed if you prefer)   to say "Don, with your experience in the NPS and NASA Education, I think I have a volunteer position invitation for you."  How could I refuse? 

It was a great event, in Arco, inside totality, directed by Craters of the Moon.  It involved NASA - CRMO is now a major Mars research area - USC, Idaho State, Arco, et al.  Visitors were there, in a small and friendly crowd, from several countries and many states.  After the eclipse, CRMO Superintendent Wade announced that Craters has been added to the International list of Dark Sky Parks.

Great fun, memorable, and nice to combine NASA and NPS career experience in the service of the public, and the parks; and to spend some time working again with old NPS colleagues and friends Ted and Rose Stout.


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