Eclipse Viewing

Two eclipses are coming to Texas!

What’s an Eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and Earth are lined up in space, with the moon between the earth and the sun.

Annular eclipse – Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023

During an annular eclipse, the moon will cover part of the sun. It will look slightly smaller than the sun, creating the illusion of a ring of fire in the sky. This is due to the moon’s position in its orbit. The path of this eclipse in Texas is from Midland/Odessa to Corpus Christi.

Total eclipse – Monday, April 8, 2024

The moon will blot out the entire sun for a total solar eclipse. For a few minutes, it will look and feel like twilight. You will be able to see this rare event along a line across Texas from Del Rio to Texarkana.

What to Expect

For both eclipse events, you will see a partial solar eclipse before and after its time of greatest coverage. If you’re outside of the eclipses’ paths, you will see a partial eclipse.

Annular eclipse

In the annular eclipse, the moon will begin to block the sun around 10:20 am on Oct. 14. The ring of fire will appear around 11:41 am along the Texas-New Mexico border and follow a path southeast across Texas.

Depending on where you are, this display will last from a few seconds to nearly five minutes. The closer you are to the middle of the eclipse’s path, the more time you’ll get to enjoy that ring of fire.

Total eclipse

During the total eclipse, the moon will start to block the sun around noon on April 8. Totality will begin at 1:30 pm near Del Rio and trace a line northeast across Texas.

Totality will last from a few seconds to about 4.5 minutes depending on where you are along the path. You will need to be in the path of totality to get the full eclipse experience.

State Parks in Annularity

Parks in the path of the annular eclipse will fill early - reserve your campsite or day pass as soon as possible. 

These parks are in the path of annular eclipse in October 2023:

• Big Spring
• Choke Canyon
• Devils River - Del Norte Unit
• Garner
• Goliad
• Goose Island
• Government Canyon
• Guadalupe River
• Hill Country
• Kickapoo Cavern
• Lake Corpus Christi
• Lost Maples
• Monahans Sandhills
• Mustang Island
• Old Tunnel
• San Angelo
• South Llano River

A partial eclipse will be visible in all other state parks. 

These parks are in the path of totality for the total eclipse in April 2024: 

• 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
• McKinney Falls
• Meridian
• Mother Neff
• Old Tunnel
• Pedernales Falls
• Purtis Creek
• South Llano River
• Tyler

A partial eclipse will be visible in all other state parks. 

How to See the Eclipses

Solar eclipses are magical experiences. Ensure you have a memorable day by planning.

First, and most importantly, protect your eyes. Purchase eclipse glasses or use an indirect observation method, like a pinhole viewer.

You must use eye protection to view any part of October’s annular eclipse.

For April’s total eclipse, it’s only safe to look directly at the sun during the few minutes of totality. Otherwise, you’ll need to use eclipse glasses or a pinhole viewer.

Other considerations

• Make a reservation: You won’t be able to enter any of the state parks listed above on eclipse day without a pre-purchased day pass or camping permit. 
  • Reserve day passes up to a month before your visit.
  • Reserve campsites up to five months before your visit.
  • A state park pass does not guarantee your entry!
• Come early and stay late: Expect traffic delays across the state on both Oct. 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024. We anticipate visitors from across the state and nation for the eclipses.
• Pack more than a snack: Be sure you have extra food, water and fuel in case of delays.
• Park in designated areas only. Stay off roadways for your safety. Don't park off the pavement unless directed by park staff.
• You may not be able to connect. In some areas of totality, cell phone networks and the internet might be jammed.
• Attend a park program. Many state parks will offer ranger programs before or after the eclipse.