On April 8, the 2024 solar eclipse’s path of totality will sweep across many states, including a swath of Missouri and the Mark Twain National Forest. People will travel from around the world to see this celestial alignment. Anyone planning a visit to the forest for this event can prepare by learning some “eclipse tips” about how to view it in a way that is safe and respectful of the area’s natural beauty. To learn more about where you can go and what to do in the forest, visit the forest’s eclipse tips on the website here.
Eyewear
Be safe: Wear appropriate glasses. Ensure that your solar eclipse viewing glasses are authentic and properly rated. NASA has solar eclipse viewing safety information online.
Traffic
Be prepared and be patient: Unprecedented crowds could be in many areas around Mark Twain National Forest on and before April 8. Here are a few tips to make your experience safer and more enjoyable:
• Drive cautiously and stay alert on the winding country roads. Do not pull over to watch the eclipse from the roadside, which could cause accidents, as many roads have blind corners. Pulling off roadsides could cause vehicles to get stuck and block traffic flow since many roads have very little shoulder area.
• Pulling off in tall grass could also potentially cause a wildfire if the vehicle’s exhaust system is hot enough and the grass is dry enough.
• Bring a paper map of state roads in case you need to find alternate routes and find yourself in an area without good cell reception.
• Visitors can also help care for the beautiful forest while here. Pack out what you pack in – bring garbage bags along with you to appropriately dispose of trash in a dumpster or at home later, in case you are in an area with no trash cans or the ones at your site are full.
• After the eclipse, people may want to stick around for a while to avoid any traffic jams that could occur if everyone goes home simultaneously.
Behold! Viewing an eclipse can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Where better to witness an event that speaks to the incredible workings of the universe than within the natural beauty of Missouri’s Ozarks? Additionally, information about eclipse viewing events across Missouri can be found here. There is plenty to see and do in communities around the forest for those who choose to come early or stay a while longer to enjoy the food and fun in communities around the Forest.
