While St. Louis will have 99% of the sun blocked out, the chance to witness totality is only a few hours away.
ST. LOUIS — There are prime locations to observe the Great American Eclipse on April 8, 2024, in Missouri and Illinois.
In St. Louis, almost 99% of the sun will be obscured by the moon, but totality can be seen just a few hours south or east of the city.
Parts of Missouri and Illinois fall within the path of totality, with a few having experienced it during the 2017 eclipse. Given the global interest in this celestial event, securing a viewing spot or event well in advance may be necessary.
The path of totality will stretch from Texas to Maine, passing through the Midwest around 2 p.m. This will be the last opportunity to witness the path of totality anywhere in the U.S. until 2044.
From state parks to universities, there will be numerous options for experiencing the solar eclipse. The following are some of the best locations to witness totality.
State parks
The state of Missouri has compiled a list of parks falling within the path of totality. Some offer lodging and camping facilities, although many are already fully booked. Here is the list:
Sam A. Baker State Park, PattersonBattle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site, Pilot KnobBig Oak Tree State Park, East PrairieBollinger Mill State Historic Site, BurfordvilleCurrent River State Park, SalemEcho Bluff State Park, EminenceElephant Rocks State Park, BelleviewEleven Point State Park, CouchGrand Gulf State Park, ThayerHawn State Park, Ste. GenevieveHunter-Dawson State Historic Site, New MadridJohnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Middle BrookLake Wappapello State Park, WilliamsvilleMissouri Mines State Historic Site, Park HillsMorris State Park, CampbellSt. Joe State Park, Park HillsTaum Sauk Mountain State Park, IrontonTowosahgy State Historic Site, East PrairieTrail of Tears State Park, JacksonFelix Vallé House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve
Many Illinois state parks also offer camping and lodging. For more information and reservations, click here.
Beall Woods State Park, Mount CarmelCache River State Natural Area, BelknapCave-In-Rock State Park, BelknapDixon Springs State Park, GolcondaEldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, CarlyleFerne Clyffe State Park, GorevilleFort Massac State Park, MetropolisGiant City State Park, MakandaGolconda Marina, GolcondaHamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, McLeansboroHorseshoe Lake Alexander County, Miller CityKinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, MurphysboroLake Murphysboro State Park, MurphysboroLincoln Trail State Park, MarshallNewton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, NewtonPiney Creek Ravine State Natural Area, Campbell HillPyramid State Recreation Area, PinckneyvilleRandolph County State Recreation Area, ChesterRed Hills State Park, SumnerSahara Woods State Recreation Area, Carrier MillsSaline County State Fish and Wildlife Area, EqualitySam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, JohnsonvilleSam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area, NewtonSielbeck Forest State Natural Area, BelknapStephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, KinmundyTen Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, McLeansboroTrail of Tears State Forest, JonesboroTunnel Hill State Trail, ViennaUnion County State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jonesboro Washington County State Recreation Area, NashvilleWayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area (Rend Lake), WhittingtonWorld Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta
Cities in Missouri
Ste. Genevieve
Located 65 miles south of St. Louis, approximately a one-hour drive.
Perryville
Located 82 miles south of St. Louis, around a one-and-a-half-hour drive.
Perryville will host a three-day Solarfest event, featuring activities such as hot air balloon rides and a 5K run/walk.
Cape Girardeau
Located 115 miles south of St. Louis, approximately a two-hour drive.
Sikeston
Located 150 miles south of St. Louis, around a two-hour-and-15-minute drive.
Sikeston will hold a weekend-long event called Total Eclipse of the Park. Further details about the event can be found here.
Poplar Bluff
Located 152 miles south of St. Louis, approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
Kennett
Located 200 miles south of St. Louis, around a three-hour drive.
Cities in Illinois
Mount Vernon
Located 80 miles east of St. Louis, approximately a one-hour-and-15-minute drive.
Benton
Located 100 miles southeast of St. Louis, around a one-hour-and-30-minute drive.
Carbondale
Located 100 miles southeast of St. Louis, approximately a two-hour drive.
Having experienced totality in 2017, Carbondale is preparing for the Southern Illinois Crossroads Festival in 2024. The event, spanning three days, is hosted by SIU Carbondale in partnership with NASA.
Alto Pass
Located 110 miles southeast of St. Louis, approximately a two-hour drive.
The Bald Knob Cross of Peace will host an eclipse event. Tickets and additional information can be found here.
Makanda
Located 115 miles southeast of St. Louis, around a two-hour drive.
Makanda is home to the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, where a weekend-long event will take place. More information is available here.
Fairfield
Located 120 miles east of St. Louis, approximately a two-hour drive.
Marion
Located 120 miles southeast of St. Louis, around a two-hour drive.
Olney
Located 120 miles east of St. Louis, approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
Olney & the Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce will host a weekend-long family event. Further information can be found here.
Metropolis
Located 160 miles southeast of Missouri, approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
Witness the solar eclipse in the hometown of Superman. The three-day event will include live music, educational displays, and local vendors. For more details, click here.
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