46 Hotels, Campgrounds And Yurts In The Path Of Totality

On Monday, April 8, a solar eclipse will be visible across North America, the like of which have not been seen since 1806. However, to experience up to 4 minutes 26 seconds of spine-tingling totality—darkness in the day and the chance to look at the sun’s spectacular corona with the naked eye—you must be in the path of totality (the yellow track on the map below).

By now, this is an open secret. Although many Americans have no conception of the path of totality (which is just 115 miles wide and a product of the moon’s shadow), there are plenty who do—and many of the hotels have been booked. Or, at least, that is the received wisdom. The reality is likely very different.

Scare Stories

Many hotels do not put their full inventory online, so a web-based search is not going to uncover as many gaps as do exist (get on your phone and call them!). It’s also true that scare stories in the media are dissuading people from trying to book trips into the path of totality.

There are plenty of hotels, campgrounds and other lodging options left in the path of totality that can be booked online. They may not be low priced—and availability will likely be spotty—but there are dozens of potential options that have passed across my desk in the past few days.

Note: before booking double-check that the location you have chosen is within the path of totality (or close by if you’re happy to drive into the path on April 8) by entering the address into Xavier Jubier’s Interactive Google Map.

MORE FROM FORBES9 Very Helpful Websites To Check Before Planning A Trip To See The Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie Carter

Utopia, Texas

Kerrville, Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

Lakehills, Texas

Mason/Llano, Texas

Georgetown, Texas

Salado, Texas

New Braunfels, Texas

Canyon Lake, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Grapevine, Texas

Cumby, Texas

Waco, Texas

Tyler, Texas

Texarkana, Texas

Little Rock, Arkansas

Conway, Arkansas

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Bloomington, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Cleveland, Ohio

Mason, Ohio

Sandusky, Ohio

Buffalo, New York

Grand Island, New York

Abbot, Maine

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada

Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

How To Find A Hotel Room For The Eclipse

If you don’t succeed with any of these options—or you want to visit a different region—try these resources:

For the very latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.