Where is the best place to see the 2017 eclipse?

This is the most frequently asked question about the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017. There are many excellent places to view the eclipse across the entire path of totality. And the truth is, the best place is where you are inside the path if you have clear skies on the magic day! But we present a list of ten great places for your consideration.

This illustration is from our new book, See the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017. You can find the book at www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com/Store. Click this or any graphic on this page to enlarge. — This illustration is from our new book, See the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017. You can find the book at **www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com/Store.** Click this or any graphic on this page to enlarge.

Oregon

Idaho

Wyoming

Nebraska

Kansas

Missouri

Illinois

Kentucky

Tennessee

Georgia

North Carolina

South Carolina

The foremost criterion for selecting a site is the weather. Any location along the path of totality from Oregon to South Carolina can enjoy good weather on eclipse day, but the western half of the United States, especially from the Willamette Valley of Oregon to the Nebraska Sandhills, will enjoy the very best weather odds. You can watch the weather forecasts starting a week before eclipse day to judge whether you can strike for a spot close to home or drive further afield.

Wherever you go, every eclipse viewer should have a plan for mobility. Even in the sunniest locations, you don’t want to be caught under a cloud during the precious two minutes of totality. Pick a location with a good and uncrowded highway system that you can use to relocate the day before, the morning of, or the hour before the eclipse if weather threatens. The total solar eclipse will be such a spectacle that you won’t regret making the effort to find a clear viewing location.

Another piece of advice is to stay flexible in your plan for eclipse day. August is a perfect time of year for camping, so consider bringing a tent or recreational vehicle in case a weather system forces you to relocate several hundred miles. Even if you reserve a hotel room in a prime location, don’t stay fixed to a location if the short-term weather forecast is not favorable.

So where is the best location to see the eclipse? Here are our ten picks for perfect viewing spots to gaze upon nature’s grandest spectacle, weather permitting.

Madras, Oregon

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 4 seconds

Totality begins at 10:19 a.m. PDT

While the Oregon coast is at risk of marine clouds, the interior of this state actually enjoys the nation’s best weather prospects. Madras is easily accessible from Portland with a two-hour drive and sits at the junction of four highways for good mobility. A bonus is the prospect of seeing Mt. Jefferson to the west darken as totality envelops this prominent peak 17 seconds before totality in Madras. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/oregon/

Snake River Valley, Idaho

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 18 seconds

Totality begins at 11:33 a.m. MDT

The Snake River Valley in eastern Idaho consists of farmland and lava fields. This area is an attractive spot for eclipse chasers because of fairly good weather prospects and many roads for evasive maneuvering in the event of local clouds. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/idaho/

Casper, Wyoming

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 26 seconds

Totality begins at 11:42 a.m. MDT

It is for good reason that the Astronomical League is holding their annual Astrocon Conference in Casper just before eclipse day. Not only does Casper have good weather prospects, but also uncrowded highways that extend west, east, north, and south could be used for every weather contingency. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/wyoming/

Sandhills of western Nebraska

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 30 seconds

Totality beings at 11:49 a.m. MDT

The Sandhills country of Nebraska is a prime location for viewing the eclipse. A careful weather observer has taken notes over 20 years and reports that 70% of late August days are favorable for eclipse viewing. Alliance is a natural choice with accommodations, long duration, three highways for distance traveling, and many farm roads to dodge local clouds. A bonus is that you can enjoy dark summer night skies and a glorious view of the Milky Way. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/nebraska/

St. Joseph, Missouri

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 39 seconds

Totality begins at 1:06 p.m. CDT

St. Joseph is right on the centerline of the eclipse path and enjoys one of the longest durations of any sizable city in the nation. A large eclipse viewing party is being organized at the Rosecrans Memorial Airport with educational speakers, solar telescopes, and more. If you would like to enjoy the eclipse in the company of astronomers, this is an ideal choice. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/missouri/

Carbondale, Illinois

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 41.6 seconds

Totality begins at 1:20 p.m. CDT

Carbondale has a special distinction; it is near the crossing centerlines of both the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse and the coming April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse! Also, the point of longest eclipse for 2017 is just southeast of Carbondale at the geographic location of 37º 34’ 4.3” North latitude, 89º 06’ 10.0” West longitude. If you want to experience the very longest eclipse duration, you can’t go wrong at any spot on the centerline of eclipse near Carbondale. Just don’t forget to drive east or west if clouds threaten to eclipse totality! More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/illinois/

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 41.2 seconds

Totality begins at 1:24 p.m. CDT

The civic boosters of Hopkinsville cite their fair city as the best spot in the nation for the eclipse. While Hopkinsville is a great location, you can travel for hundreds of miles east and west along the eclipse centerline and receive within 1 or 2 seconds of maximum eclipse duration. But if you would like to join a festive crowd, Hopkinsville will certainly be a great location to enjoy the eclipse. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/kentucky/

Nashville, Tennessee

Duration of totality is 1 minute, 57 seconds

Totality begins at 1:27 p.m. CDT

Nashville deserves special note as the largest city wholly within the path of the total solar eclipse. While its location is offset from the centerline by about 20 miles, it still enjoys a good duration of nearly two minutes. Surely the nation’s music capitol will produce some memorable songs on the occasion of the Great American Eclipse. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/tennessee/

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Duration of totality is 1 minute, 17 seconds

Totality begins at 2:35 p.m. EDT

Weather permitting, the Great Smoky Mountains will offer great vistas for the eclipse. Clingman’s Dome will be an intriguing location to view the eclipse due to its expansive views. This site provides the possibility of seeing the Moon’s shadow racing across the landscape, a dramatic sight that will add another dimension to your experience of the eclipse. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/north-carolina/

Columbia, South Carolina

Duration of totality is 2 minutes, 30 seconds

Totality begins at 2:43 p.m. EDT

Columbia is another sizable city with a long duration of totality plus a fine network of highways for mobility on eclipse day. For millions of Americans along the Atlantic Seaboard, this will be the most accessible city with accommodations in the path of total solar eclipse. More at http://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/south-carolina/