Article Overview: Best National Parks for Solar Eclipse 2023
National parks for the Solar Eclipse 2023 will be some of the best viewing places in the nation. The annular eclipse (that’s a formal way of saying “Ring of Fire”) will happen on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Six million people live in the path of Solar Eclipse 2023, and nearly 30 national park properties are in the path–some in the “path of annularity,” getting the best views of this rare celestial treat.
The last annular eclipse to cross part of the United States was in 2012, and the next one won’t be until 2044. This also sets the stage for the Total Solar Eclipse in April 2024, which will cross the other side of the country and leave up to four minutes of darkness in its path.
More than a dozen National Park Service locations have big events planned for October 14, 2023, to see Solar Eclipse 2023, and that list is sure to grow.
My fascination with the skies started during a “Ring of Fire” eclipse in the 1980s, and I have such fond memories of building my safe viewer using a cereal box and some kitchen supplies.
We are hoping this helpful guide about National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 events will help you create lasting memories with your family. But where do you go? What’s the best location? What else is there to do? And can you really damage your eyes looking at the “Ring of Fire”? We have all the answers for you here.
Table of Contents: National Parks for Solar Eclipse 2023
Table of contents: National Parks for Solar Eclipse 2023
- What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?
- Stages of Annular Solar Eclipse 2023
- Solar Eclipse 2023 Viewing Safety
- Solar Eclipse 2023 Glasses
- Planning for National Parks Solar Eclipse 2023
- Map of National Parks for Solar Eclipse 2023
- Top 6 National Parks for “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse 2023
- 1. Mesa Verde National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
- 2. Canyonlands National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
- 3. Capitol Reef National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
- 4. Bryce Canyon National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
- 5. Great Basin National Park Annual Solar Eclipse 2023
- 6. Crater Lake National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
- Other AWESOME National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Options
- FAQs for National Park Solar Eclipse 2023
- National Parks in Partial Solar Eclipse 2023
- National Parks Total Solar Eclipse 2024
- Watch Solar Eclipse 2023 Live
- Pin National Parks Solar Eclipse 2023
What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but it doesn’t completely cover the Sun’s disk. This creates a striking “ring of fire” effect, where the Sun appears as a bright ring surrounding the dark disk of the Moon. This happens because the Moon is at a point in its orbit where it’s farther away from Earth, so it appears smaller and doesn’t block the entire Sun.
In contrast, a total solar eclipse happens when the Moon fully covers the Sun, casting a shadow on a specific area of the Earth and plunging it into darkness for a brief period. During a total eclipse, the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere, becomes visible, creating a mesmerizing sight.
So, the key difference is that during an annular eclipse, a ring of the Sun’s surface remains visible, while during a total eclipse, the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. Both types of eclipses are incredible natural phenomena, but they offer slightly different visual experiences due to the varying coverage of the Sun by the Moon.
- October 14, 2023: Annular Solar Eclipse
- April 8, 2024: Total Solar Eclipse
You might remember the August 21, 2017, eclipse event that captivated the nation. That was a Total Solar Eclipse.
Stages of Annular Solar Eclipse 2023
Altogether, the apex of the eclipse just lasts a few minutes, but the event can take 2-3 hours to unfold in its entirety. In this case, the transition is moving toward and away from annularity. Again, that’s the “Ring of Fire.”
- First Contact: The eclipse begins as the Moon’s edge first touches the edge of the Sun, marking the starting point.
- Partial Eclipse: After first contact, the Moon continues to move across the Sun, causing a substantial portion of the Sun to be obscured.
- Annularity: At its peak, first contact forms the striking “ring of fire” effect as the Moon perfectly aligns with the Sun.
- Partial Eclipse (again): Going past annularity, the Moon gradually moves away from the center of the Sun, transitioning the eclipse back into a partial eclipse.
- Final Contact: The eclipse ends as the Moon’s edge completely moves away from the Sun’s edge, marking the event’s conclusion.
In similar fashion, the total solar eclipse follows these same stages. The only exception is that annularity is replaced with totality. In totality, the sun’s corona (outermost atmosphere) can be seen.
Solar Eclipse 2023 Viewing Safety
I really want to hammer home the safety aspect of this because I remember, as a 10-year-old, if you told me not to do something, I immediately wanted to do it. It’s important to share the information with children who might be as incorrigible as I was.
Looking at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause serious eye damage. Anecdotally, think about how you use a lens to start a fire or signal for help in the wilderness. When you look at the sun during an eclipse, you are doing the same thing to your eye.
In addition, the scientific explanation is that the Sun emits intense ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation that can harm the delicate structures of the eyes, including the retina.
- Retinal Damage: The most significant risk is retinal damage, specifically a condition called solar retinopathy caused by intense light from the “Ring of Fire.”
- Lack of Pain: One dangerous aspect of retinal damage from the Sun is that it may not cause immediate pain or discomfort.
- Permanent Effects: Solar retinopathy can result in permanent vision loss or impairments, depending on the extent of the damage.
Symptoms of eye damage can happen within the first few minutes or take weeks to set in. Evidently, you won’t feel any pain, but there is no way to reverse the damage of directly looking at a solar eclipse.
Solar Eclipse 2023 Glasses
NASA has strict standards for glasses that qualify as safe to use for viewing solar eclipses. You should not look for budget-friendly options without making sure the glasses are safe. We did some digging and found glasses for the National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 viewing that are certified safe. Some National Park properties will hand out glasses, but you shouldn’t rely on those being available since large crowds are expected.
Planning for National Parks Solar Eclipse 2023
If you’re reading this article, you’re less than a month away from the big event. Accordingly, you might be in a rush to get ready. We can help.
Because of the popularity of this event, you should keep a few things in mind before solidifying your plans:
- National Park Service properties will not allow people to sleep in their cars in parking areas.
- At the same time, most campgrounds and hotels near the remote parks will already be booked.
- All park properties will require you to have an entrance pass, but the events within the parks are free. Entrance fees differ between each location. Buy your pass ahead of time to keep the traffic line moving.
- Pack plenty of water, snacks, and emergency supplies in your vehicle. Traffic before and after the eclipse will be tough on idling cars.
- Arrive at the park with a full gas tank (or as close as possible) to avoid running out in the remote areas.
You’ll also want several layers of clothing for changing temperatures and weather conditions. The desert locations can be chilly in the morning and scorching in the afternoon.
Lastly, many parks will continue to add events as crowd expectations become more clear.
Map of National Parks for Solar Eclipse 2023
Top 6 National Parks for “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse 2023
1. Mesa Verde National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
Location: Southern Colorado
Length of Eclipse: 9:11 a.m. – 12:03 p.m.
Length of Annularity: 3 minutes at 10:33 a.m.
Time Zone: Mountain
Mesa Verde National Park in Southwestern Colorado prepared two days of sky events day and night to enjoy surrounding the eclipse. Each night of October 13 and 14, Star Parties are open to the public at the Morefield Amphitheater starting at 7:00 p.m.
No cliff-dwelling tours will be open on the morning of the eclipse, but afternoon tours are open at Mesa Verde National Park.
Viewing parties are being held in several park locations:
- Chapin Mesa Museum
- Far View Parking Lot
- Morefield Campground Amphitheater
All three locations have toilets, snacks, and experts nearby for the event.
Other popular areas that won’t have formal activities but make for great viewing are Cliff Palace Parking Lot and Balcony House Parking Lot.
2. Canyonlands National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
Location: Southern Utah
Length of Eclipse: 9:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Length of Annularity: 2:40 seconds max at 10:20 a.m.
Time Zone: Mountain
Firstly, you should know that Canyonlands is massive. It covers more than 527 square miles. The path of annularity only covers part of the part. Avoid The Maze and Islands in the Sky if you want the epic eclipse experience. The Needles Visitor Center, Needles Campground, and Grand View Point should be on your preferred destination list. To reiterate, Island in the Sky is not part of the annular path. However, you would get a partial eclipse view there.
While no formal events are planned, the park does have information about parking, camping, and other activities on its website.
3. Capitol Reef National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
Location: Southern Utah
Length of Eclipse: 9:10 a.m. to 11:57 a.m.
Length of Annularity: 5 minutes starting at 10:27 a.m.
Time Zone: Mountain
Capitol Reef National Park’s Solar Eclipse 2023 plans span a whole week, making it a great destination for those who have more time to explore Utah’s Mighty 5.
Even if you only have one day to enjoy this experience, the park isn’t planning any formal events. However, they have a “make yourself at home” mentality since the entire park is in the path of annularity.
In addition, the nearby (well, “nearby” is a loose term in Utah – it’s 96 miles away) town of Marysvale is planning a huge Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse 2023 festival, complete with activities like bull riding and big rock climbing.
4. Bryce Canyon National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
Location: Southern Utah
Length of Eclipse: 9:09 a.m. to 11:56 a.m.
Length of Annularity: 3 minutes at 10:28 am
Time Zone: Mountain
The famous hoodoo park also offers a lenient attitude toward viewing locations, with no official parties planned during the event. However, if you want to be closest to rangers and crowds, there are several key popular viewpoints in Bryce Canyon National Park.
I tell you this emphatically – Bryce Canyon is poised to have its single biggest day of visitors in the park’s 100-year history. More than 10,000 people came in 2012, and October 14 is expected to surpass that.
Bryce Canyon National Park officials do plan to keep the shuttle moving even if the park is closed to more vehicle traffic. You can also park outside the park and rent a bicycle to enjoy the trails.
It’s worth getting to Bryce Canyon National Park for Solar Eclipse 2023 a day early because Dr. Barbara Cohen, selected to make a trip to the moon on Artemis IV, will be speaking at 8:00 p.m. on October 13.
Additionally, Bryce Canyon National Park is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.
5. Great Basin National Park Annual Solar Eclipse 2023
Location: Eastern Nevada
Length of Eclipse: 8:07 a.m. – 10:53 a.m.
Length of Annularity: Approx 3 minutes starting at 9:26 a.m.
Time Zone: Pacific
The desert out in eastern Nevada has more than just some UFOs in the skies. Great Basin National Park in White Pine County plans to be one of the best National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 viewing parties nationwide. The park is hosting a series of Zoom webinars in advance to get you excited for the big event.
In the meantime, Ranger-led programs will be held Wednesday through Saturday of eclipse week in the Astronomy Amphitheater.
Finally, for the big event, the park will have a guided eclipse watch party at the Great Basin Visitor Center and Lehman Caves Visitor Center. You can go on your own to view the eclipse at Mather Overlook and Baker Creek Road.
Although there are no guarantees you’ll find a spot, Great Basin National Park has one of the most robust camping options of all the national park solar eclipse 2023 locations.
6. Crater Lake National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Events
Location: Southern Oregon
Length of Eclipse: 8:06 a.m. to 10:39 a.m.
Length of Annularity: 2 minutes starting at 9:18 a.m.
Time Zone: Pacific
Crater Lake National Park is in a particularly precarious spot, as October weather can be challenging. Even the best intentions to keep the park and roads open for the flood of eclipse viewers could be ruined by an early snowstorm.
No special events are planned at the park. Moreover, the park’s eclipse guidance is more about how to be prepared with a backup plan than places to enjoy the eclipse. Check the park alerts page and Facebook page for weather updates as Solar Eclipse 2023 gets closer.
At the same time, we’re here with 20 EPIC Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park. Even though this park ranks last on our list of National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 viewing locations, a good day of weather would bump it right up the rankings.
While Crater Lake is a great viewing point, you should consider other options throughout Oregon communities if the weather isn’t in your favor.
Other AWESOME National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 Options
From the beach to the big thicket, there are unquestionably at least half a dozen other National Park Service locations planning for a big day on October 14.
Padre Island National Seashore
Honestly, mid-October means the team at Padre Island is looking more toward the tropics during the heart of hurricane season than the sky. However, if the weather cooperates, this will be an idyllic beach spot to savor the moment.
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
While thousands flock to national parks, you’ll find (potentially) smaller crowds and a big event at this New Mexico location less than 100 miles from Albuquerque. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is directly in the path of annularity and will have rangers available to answer questions. In addition, telescopes and live big-screen views of the eclipse will be available near the Monte Alto Plaza.
TRAVEL TIP: While you’re in New Mexico, consider adding a fall trip to White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Those will be in 80% obscuration during the eclipse.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Whereas the Grand Canyon isn’t in the path of annularity, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area sure is! You just have to pick your spot wisely.
A lawn party will be held at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, but we recommend you head north to get the full eclipse experience. The park is teaming up with the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (a BLM property) for a viewing party at the Escalante Interagency Viewing Area.
Basically, you just need to be anywhere around Lake Powell to get the full experience. Taking a boat out would certainly be an ideal way to enjoy the Solar Eclipse 2023 in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
TRAVEL TIP: This is another great excuse to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon before it closes for the season on October 15. Albeit, you’ll need to spend time there before the eclipse.
Petroglyph National Monument
Getting a spot at Petroglyph National Monument for Solar Eclipse 2023 will be like getting VIP tickets to Taylor Swift. Parking is limited, and the roads will shut down when the park is full.
NOTE: Less than 130 parking spots are available.
However, NPS did want us to tell our readers that the only parking areas to be used for eclipse viewing are at the information center, Rinconada Canyon, and Coba Negra Canyon.
El Malpais National Monument
No sooner do we fall in love with a particular National Park Solar Eclipse 2023 viewing spot than when we come across a “lit” venue like El Malpais National Monument. Touting the “Ring of Fire in the Land of Frozen Fire,” it’s hard to beat the unique appeal here west of Albuquerque.
Eclipse viewing events are being held at the El Malpais Visitor Center and the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook. In addition, three other locations are perfect for viewing the path of a
- Acoma-Zuni Trailhead
- Zuni-Acoma Trailhead
- El Calderon Trailhead
At the same time, Lava Falls Trailhead and Big Tubes Trailhead will NOT be in the path.
Big Thicket National Preserve
Deep in the heart of Texas, the Big Thicket National Preserve is planning eclipse activities. However, details aren’t available as of this publication. At the same time, the preserve will be celebrating the start of its 50th anniversary celebration.
FAQs for National Park Solar Eclipse 2023
The eclipse will move from the Oregon coast and sweep down through the desert before exiting in Texas. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (under the Forest Service umbrella) is the first place to see the eclipse. Padre Island National Seashore will be the final eclipse viewing location in the U.S.
The biggest thing you’ll notice about wildlife, if anything at all, is the lessened activity of birds. Despite those campfire ghost stories about animals becoming unhinged during an eclipse, those are nothing more than folklore. A study even watched animal behaviors at zoos during an eclipse, with 75% of animals shifting patterns but none becoming more dangerous.
Looking at the eclipse on your phone isn’t as dangerous as viewing the sun directly, though your camera lens can be damaged by the eclipse. After all, it’s a lens, just like your eyes. Regardless, to protect your camera and your phone, use a filter or grab a second pair of eclipse glasses to put over your lens. Accordingly, NASA has a free guide to help you learn the art of astrophotography.
National Parks in Partial Solar Eclipse 2023
To reiterate, the places we’ve discussed are in the 90th percentile of eclipse or higher. When we look out to 80% and 70% obscurity, the playing field opens up. In fact, that path spreads from Southern California to Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
In the event that you prefer one of the most popular parks, we’ve put together a list of their location within the partial Solar Eclipse 2023 path.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: No impact
- Grand Canyon National Park: 80%
- Zion National Park: 80%
- Rocky Mountain National Park: 70%
- Acadia National Park: No impact
- Yosemite National Park: Mostly in 80%, some in 70% (Stay on Tioga Road to get the most obscurity)
- Yellowstone National Park: 70% (Grand Teton, too!)
- Joshua Tree National Park: 70%
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park: No impact (but keep reading for great news in 2024 here!)
- Glacier National Park: Less than 70%, little impact
Finally, you might be wondering about Death Valley National Park. It is in between 70% and 80% obscurity. The park has been closed since getting hit by Hurricane Hilary in August 2023. Please check current conditions before considering this location, as it could be the end of the year before the park opens again.
National Parks Total Solar Eclipse 2024
Looking ahead now to 2024’s total solar eclipse, which will cross from Texas to Maine, cutting through the heart of the country. Once you have those solar glasses, pack them away for the next big event just six months away.
As mentioned before, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is going to have a big day on April 8, 2024. The park is directly in the path of totality, along with Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
Surprisingly, more than 32 million people live in the path of totality. You should already have reservations if you’re chasing that eclipse.
FULL LIST: Every National Park Service Location in the Path of Total Solar Eclipse 2024
TEXAS
Amistad National Rec Area
Waco Mammoth National Monument
ARKANSAS
Hot Springs National Park
Buffalo National River
MISSOURI
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Ste Genevieve National Historical Park
INDIANA
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
OHIO
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
NEW YORK
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Women’s Rights National Historical Park
MAINE
Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
Full List of National Park Properties in Path of Eclipse
FULL LIST: Every National Park Service Location in the Path of 2023 Annular Eclipse
ARIZONA
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Navajo National Monument
CALIFORNIA
Lava Beds National Monument
Tule Lake National Monument
COLORADO
Mesa Verde National Park
Yucca House National Monument
NEVADA
Great Basin National Park
NEW MEXICO
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument
Bandelier National Monument
Valles Caldera National Preserve
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Aztec Ruins National Monument
El Malpais National Monument
Pecos National Historical Park
Manhattan Project National Historical Park Los Alamos
OREGON
Crater Lake National Park
TEXAS
Padre Island National Seashore
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
UTAH
Hovenweep National Monument
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
National Bridges National Monument
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Watch Solar Eclipse 2023 Live
If you can’t see it in person, you can watch it here live courtesy of our friends at NASA.
Pin National Parks Solar Eclipse 2023
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