Texas Eclipse ’24 – Where Are You Planning To Watch?

If you live in Texas or you're planning a trip to Texas to view the upcoming eclipse on April 8, have you decided where you're going to go? Have you thought about a Texas Park location? Did you know there are 31 State Parks in the path of totality? Plus the Texas Parks are gearing up for a pretty great watch party. 

Just a couple of weeks away until the highly anticipated total eclipse over the Great State of Texas. The April 8 total eclipse will indeed drop 31 Texas state parks into darkness along the path of totality.

There are only two Texas parks in the Path of Totality where visitors will gain entrance on a first come first served basis, they are; Old Tunnel and Lyndon B. Johnson State Parks. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is encouraging visitors to reserve a day pass in advance. Many of these parks are already fully reserved and Texas State Parks staff anticipate all will reach capacity.

The path runs from Del Rio up to Texarkana and will begin at 1:30 PM. Totality will last from a few seconds to about 4 and a half minutes depending on position along the path and only those in the path of totality will get the full eclipse experience. A partial solar eclipse will be visible throughout most of the state before and after the time of greatest coverage.

Texas State Parks are a great way to enjoy this rare astronomical sight. Due to the popularity of this event, entry to the parks on the day of the eclipse will be restricted to those who pre-purchased day passes or camping permits. A state park pass does not guarantee entry, so reserve your campsite or day pass as soon as possible.

Texas State Park eclipse viewing recommendations:

• Make safety a priority- Use proper eye protection to view the eclipse except during totality, when the sun is entirely covered by the moon. Visitors can bring pre-purchased eclipse glasses or use an indirect observation method like a pinhole viewer. Please note that eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at many parks, but quantities are limited.
• Come early and stay late- Expect traffic delays as parks anticipate visitors from across the state and nation.
• Pack more than a snack- Plan to bring enough food, water and fuel in case of delays.
• Park in designated areas only - Stay off roadways and do not park off pavement unless directed by park staff.
• Attend a park program- Many parks will offer ranger-led programs before or after the eclipse.
• You may not be able to connect - Some areas of totality may experience limited cell phone and internet connectivity. Please, read through the provided Eclipse FAQs for more information on viewing the eclipse at one of our parks.

Can't find eclipse glasses? Again, Texas State Parks to the rescue!

Thanks to a donation from Lyda Hill Philanthropies through Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF), a ot of specialty equipment will be available at parks along the eclipse’s path. The equipment list includes 20,000 eclipse safety glasses, tabletop sun-spotter telescopes, telescope tripods and solar filters, binocular filters, smartphone sun photography adapters and eclipse-themed books. They will be distributed among the 31 Texas state parks within the path of totality ahead of the eclipse.

Which State Parks?

The entire state will be able to see a significant partial eclipse from their own backyards, so if you can’t get to a state park, visit Texas State Parks eclipse viewing webpage to learn how to make a pinhole viewer for out-of-this-world family fun.
State Parks in the Path of Totality

• Atlanta
• Blanco
• Bonham
• Cedar Hill
• Cleburne
• Colorado Bend
• Cooper Lake
• Daingerfield
• Devil's Sinkhole
• Dinosaur Valley
• Enchanted Rock
• Fort Parker
• Garner
• Government Canyon
• Guadalupe River
• Hill Country
• Inks Lake & Longhorn Cavern 
• Kickapoo Cavern
• Lake Bob Sandlin
• Lake Tawakoni
• Lake Whitney
• Lost Maples
• Lyndon B. Johnson (No advance reservations available; entrance will be first come, first served.)
• McKinney Falls
• Meridian
• Mother Neff
• Old Tunnel (No advance reservations available; entrance will be first come, first served.)
• Pedernales Falls
• Purtis Creek
• South Llano River
• Tyler

Where can I find some spiffy Solarbration Eclipse Glasses like those below? Click on the link.

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