If your plans for viewing the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, include visiting southeastern Missouri, Missouri State Parks is inviting you to experience the event from the “Park Side of the Moon” and celebrate in a state park or historic site. Twenty parks and historic sites will be in the path of totality, while several others will experience a partial solar eclipse.
At the locations experiencing a partial solar eclipse, the portion of the sun covered by the moon will range from 84.9% to nearly 100%, depending on the region. It will be another 20 years – Aug. 23, 2044 – before the next total solar eclipse will be visible from the contiguous United States, so you won’t want to miss this exciting event.
Remember to be safe, prepared, and patient. If your plans for viewing the celestial alignment on April 8 include visiting the southeast region of the state, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) reminds you to respect nature’s beauty and always practice safe habits while traveling.
Follow these safety tips to make your eclipse viewing experience more enjoyable:
- Wear appropriate solar eclipse viewing glasses that are authentic and properly rated.
- Be prepared by taking water, snacks, and chairs or blankets. Pack out what you pack in.
- Dress for the weather.
- Follow the regulations for the area you visit.
- Drive cautiously and stay alert; while tempting, please do not pull over to watch the eclipse from the roadside. This could lead to accidents, as many roads have blind corners. Since many roads have very narrow, if any, shoulders, pulling off the road could also cause vehicles to get stuck and block traffic flow.
- Be sure to have a paper map with you if the need to find alternate routes arises and there is not adequate cell reception in that area.
- Be patient after the eclipse. Traffic jams could occur.
- Prepare for unprecedented crowds in and around the area of totality on and before April 8.
- If you are camping at a state park, please remember your checkout time. Use caution when entering and exiting the park or historic site.
- Those who are not camping but want to view the eclipse from a park or historic site are asked to please not block the roads going into and around the campgrounds.
For more information about locations to best view the eclipse visit the eclipse section of the Missouri State Parks website. For more information on state parks and historic sites, the main Missouri State Parks website. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
