Visiting Arkansas to view the solar eclipse on April 8th? Here's what you should know
Small towns and bigger cities alike have put together weekend-long festivals, events, and even plans to beat a world record during the solar eclipse in Arkansas.
On April 8, 2024, the state of Arkansas will be in the path of a total solar eclipse for the first time in over a century. With such a historic occasion comes great responsibility, and the Natural State doesn't appear to take the pressure lightly.
Arkansas officials expect the solar eclipse to bring a tourism boom not just from visitors from other states, but travelers from across the world.
State entities like the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) released their traffic plan for when state highways subsequently deal with heavy traffic leading up to April 8. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) sent out a letter to doctors and medical providers on health concerns that could stem from the influx of tourists in the area.
And beyond that, small towns and bigger cities alike have put together weekend-long festivals, events, and even plans to beat a world record.
Arkansas is one of the most scenic states to visit if you're located outside the path of totality on April 8, but what exactly do you need to know before you make it to the Natural State to see the iconic 120-mile-long shadow?
Traffic plan ahead of eclipse
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) released its plan to handle the sightseers they predict will visit the Natural State to get in line for the total solar eclipse.
ARDOT said the total eclipse on April 8, 2024, will likely be the largest tourist event in Arkansas history.
The plan includes traffic forecasts, reduction strategies, flow enhancements, and information about ARDOT’s Traffic Management Center and Communications Division.
ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor said, “Our goal is to get everyone where they need to go as safely and efficiently as possible.”
The plan exists as a “living document” that may be updated and edited as needed, officials said. Click here to view the full traffic plan.
Places to be in Arkansas during eclipse
In Arkansas, the eclipse is expected to touch down in the southwestern tip of the state at around 1:46 p.m. and move northeast, moving on from the Natural State at 2 p.m. with areas in the path of totality expecting up to 4 minutes of total darkness.
There are tons of places to choose from when it comes to viewing the eclipse in Arkansas on April 8, 2024.
Arkansas State Parks near or within totality:
- Cossatot River
- Queen Wilhelmina
- Mount Magazine
- Mount Nebo
- Lake Dardanelle
- Crater of Diamonds
- Daisy State Park
- Millwood State Park
- Historic Washington State Park
- Lake Quachita
West Arkansas towns near or within totality:
Arkansas' official website has listed ten towns within the center of totality.
- Van Buren
- Fort Smith
- Clarksville
- Mulberry
- Booneville
- Mena
- Hot Springs
- Heber Springs
- Conway
- Dardanelle
- Mount Ida
- Clinton
- Heber Springs
- Searcy
- Jasper
- Yellville
- Flippin
- Batesville
- Mountain View
- Mountain Home
- Hardy
- Cherokee Village
The National Park Service announced their plans to host the public to view the eclipse at the Buffalo National River. "Buffalo National River will be in the path of totality as the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow on Earth," NPS said.
Officials say the Tyler Bend and Dillards Ferry areas will not only have the most parking, but will also have "some of the longest totality."
Events:
- Russellville: Arkansas Tech University is offering reservations for its campus grounds to serve as a space for the public to view the eclipse.
- Russellville: There will be a Total Eclipse of the Heart Festival in Russellville that is offering a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for couples who happen to be in love "to the moon and back."
- Mena: The Solar Eclipse Festival at the Blue promises over four minutes of totality while RV and tent camping with hot showers, live music, food, ziplining, vendors, activities, on-site Spanish carvings, wildlife exhibits, astronomy presentations, and more.
- Ozark: The city of Ozark is hosting Shadow on the Square in downtown Ozark.
- Eureka Springs: The day before the eclipse, on April 7, many musicians are gathering in Eureka Springs to host a "Moonlight Before Eclipse" concert. Musician and business owner Aviva Tu invites eclipse travelers to "Immerse yourself in a musical journey featuring the timeless sounds of Sound Journey, the collaboration of improv guitar and violin, and the ethereal beauty of a piano solo resonating with the iconic Moonlight Sonata."
Arkansas cities within 100% totality
Huge parts of Arkansas will experience totality, but even the parts that don't will be at least 90% covered.
Here's a full list of cities that will be in totality:
- Altus
- Arkadelphia
- Ashdown
- Ash Flat
- Batesville
- Beebee
- Benton
- Booneville
- Cabot
- Charleston
- Clarksville
- Clinton
- Conway
- Dardanelle
- De Queen
- Flippin
- Greenbrier
- Greenwood
- Hardy
- Heber Springs
- Hope
- Hot Springs
- Jacksonville
- Jonesboro
- Kennett
- Lavaca
- Little Rock
- Lonoke
- Mansfield
- Melbourne
- Mena
- Mulberry
- Murfreesboro
- Morrilton
- Mountain Home
- Mountain View
- Mount Ida
- Nashville
- Newport
- Ozark
- Paragould
- Paris
- Prescott
- Pocahontas
- Russellville
- Scranton
- Searcy
- Texarkana
- Waldron
- Walnut Ridge
- Yellville
For a list of cities in Arkansas that will see between 95-90% totality, click here.
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