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cairnme · 7 years

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Solar Eclipse: 21 Spectacular Last-Minute Places to Camp

Haven’t reserved a spot for August’s total solar eclipse yet? Many hotels and reservable campsites in the eclipse path are completely booked. But all hope is not lost. We’ve scouted out 21 first-come, first-serve camping destinations across the U.S. that are directly in the eclipse path of totality. You just need to be willing to arrive early or be able to rough it a bit.

Car Camping

If car camping is for you, you’ll need to snag a spot early. Having access to restrooms, picnic tables and fire pits can certainly make your stay more comfortable. Many sites are situated in the trees so you’ll need to hike or drive to a suitable eclipse-viewing spot. We’ve have suggestions for such places; you can find their exact locations by downloading the Cairn app. Be aware that most campsites allow a maximum 14-day stay, so you might be looking at getting to these as much as two weeks in advance to ensure you find one that’s available.

Note that every one of Oregon’s state park campsites have already been reserved, even those usually designated as first-come first-serve.

Backpacking and Dispersed Camping

With the right gear and a little flexibility you can take your eclipse experience to the backcountry. We’ve listed some backpacking destinations that should make for some fine eclipse viewing. But also consider dispersed camping: In the U.S. you can camp in national forests and in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas for free as long as you’re away from designated campgrounds. So that means millions of acres available for you to conceivably enjoy the eclipse without any crowds. You won’t have any services (like water and restrooms) so you’ll need to do a little extra planning. Bring water and be prepared to walk a little way from your vehicle. You’ll also have to get there early enough in the day to find a suitable spot.

A Word to the Wise

Check whether you’ll have cell coverage before you go (the Cairn app is the best place for this, of course). If you have spotty coverage it can be especially challenging to get a signal when there are crowds. Follow The Leave No Trace principals. Be respectful of others. And be especially careful of fire regulations. An unplanned wildfire would be most unwelcome in August. And finally, enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Don’t forget to download the Cairn app!

1. Hunt’s Cove, Willamette National Forest, Oregon

Crowd prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 1:58 at 10:18 am

Up-close views of Mt. Jefferson make this a fantastic setting for backcountry eclipse watching. Hike 7.3 miles one way.

2. Triangulation Peak, Willamette National Forest, Oregon

Crowd prediction: Low Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 2:01 at 10:18 am

Set up camp at the trailhead and then hoof the 2.6 miles to the summit in the morning to experience the eclipse.

3. Three Fingered Jack, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon

Crowd prediction: Low Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 1:39 at 10:18 am

Camp at the trailhead and then get up early for the 6.6 mile climb where you’ll find a phenomenal summit view of the eclipse and the Cascades.

4. Priest Hole, John Day River, Oregon

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historic avg cloud cover: 20% Eclipse totality duration: 2:04 at 10:20 am

Snag a riverside site at Priest Hole on Bureau of Land Management land. Drive 25 minutes to the stunning Painted Hills Overlook to experience the eclipse.

5. Walton Lake, Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

Crowd prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 40% Eclipse totality duration: 1:41 at 10:20 am

Arrive early to snag one of the walk-up sites at this lovely lakeside campground. Find a lakeshore spot facing southeast to witness the eclipse.

6. Strawberry Campground, Malheur National Forest, Oregon

Crowd prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 1:49 at 10:22 am

Grab one of this campground’s ten first-come first-serve sites or simply find yourself a dispersed spot almost anywhere in the forest.

7. Indian Rock, Umatilla National Forest, Oregon

Crowd prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 1:34 at 10:23 am

1.7 million acres of forest available for dispersed camping means little competition for spots. Make your way to Indian Rock for the eclipse.

8. Sheepeater Hot Springs, Boise National Forest, Idaho

Crowd Prediction: Low Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 0:56 at 11:28 am

Raft or hike (13.5 miles) along the Middle Fork Salmon River to the Sheepeater Hot Springs Campground. Hop in the springs for one-of a-kind eclipse viewing.

9. Norton Lakes, Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Crowd Prediction: Low Historical avg cloud cover: 50% Eclipse totality duration: 1:19 at 11:29 am

Bring your tent and fishing gear to these lovely emerald green lakes (2.4 miles). Hike an hour to Norton Pass in the morning for big sky views of the eclipse.

10. Borah Peak, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho

Crowd Prediction: Low Historical avg cloud cover: 40% Eclipse totality duration: 2:11 at 11:30 am

Experience moon-like scenery on your climb to the highest point in Idaho. Camp at the trailhead and time your summit arrival for the eclipse totality at 11:30 am.

11. Lava Flow Campground, Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 40% Eclipse totality duration: 1:15 at 11:31 am

Camp directly on an old lava flow at this 51-site campground (all walk-up). Scout out a spot along Highway 26 for the eclipse experience.

12. Snowdrift Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 50% Eclipse totality duration: 2:17 at 11:34 am

Trek 8.2 miles to camp at this spectacular high-altitude lake. Head to Avalanche Divide (1.2 miles) for dramatic eclipse viewing. Hope for clear skies.

13. Curtis Canyon Campground, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming

Crowd Prediction: High Historical avg cloud cover: 50% Eclipse totality duration: 2:19 at 11:34 am

Arrive early to grab a walk-up site at this campground. In the morning take the tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain ($42) or tackle the 4,000+ foot elevation hike.

14. Esterbrook Campground, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 2:15 at 11:44 am

Try for one of the 12 walk-up sites at this campground nestled among ponderosa pines. View the eclipse right from your camp.

15. Berryman Campground, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 1:45 at 1:16 pm

Grab one of eight sites or find a nearby dispersed spot to camp. You’ll find a high area for eclipse viewing 1.2 miles northwest along the Ozark Trail.

16. Inspiration Point, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

Crowd Prediction: High Historical avg cloud cover: 30% Eclipse totality duration: 2:37 at 1:21 pm

Hike .8 miles to this summit for big views of the river valley and bottomlands, perfect for eclipse-watching. Find your own dispersed campsite.

17. Double Spring Gap Shelter, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Crowd Prediction: High Historical avg cloud cover: 45% Eclipse totality duration: 1:25 at 2:25 pm

Hike 3.6 miles to this Appalachian Trail shelter. In the morning head to the the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower (the highest point in Tennessee) for 360-degree panoramic views.

18. Deep Hole Campground, Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 45% Eclipse totality duration: 1:06 at 2:35 pm

Camp, canoe & fish along the Toccoa River at this 8-site first-come first-serve campground. Head to Wilscot Mountain for open eclipse views. Dispersed camping also allowed.

19. Appalachian Trail (near Wayah Bald), Nantahala National Forest, Georgia

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 45% Eclipse totality duration: 2:35 at 2:35 pm

Find a campsite along the Appalachian Trail about a mile southwest of Wayah Bald Fire Tower. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the eclipse.

20. East Fork Trail, Sumpter National Forest, South Carolina

Crowd Prediction: High Historical avg cloud cover: 45% Eclipse totality duration: 2:33 at 2:36 pm

Snag a campsite near the bridge along this trail. You’ll get a nice view of the eclipse from the north side of the Chattooga River.

21. Bluff Campground, Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Crowd Prediction: Medium Historical avg cloud cover: 45% Eclipse totality duration: 2:42 at 2:42 pm

Hike just one mile to this six-site campground and relish the beauty of the bottomland old-growth forest. See the eclipse right from the campground.

You can access offline maps, stats, and cell coverage on the each of these locations via the Cairn app.

Press — Download the infographics from our press page.

NOTE: Mt. Jefferson Park is currently closed due to a large wildlife fire and will stay closed through the eclipse. Check the forest service website for the latest conditions.

#On August 21st #eclipsecamping #2017eclipse #eclipse #oregoneclipse2017 #idahoEclipse2017 #WyomingEclipse2017 #SouthCarolinaEclipse

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