Book early to see eclipse at state parks
If you’re hoping to watch the total solar eclipse next month from a Texas state park, be ready to book your reservations this week.
Day passes for April 8’s celestial spectacle will go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday.
There are 31 state parks within the path of totality, all of which are expected to reach capacity, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Members of the public are asked not to visit unless they have a pre-purchased day pass or overnight reservation,” TPWD said. Camping reservations opened in November and were quickly booked up.
In the path of totality, the moon will pass in front of the sun, completely blocking our view of the sun for as long as 41⁄2 minutes in some areas. A partial eclipse — when the moon won’t totally obscure the sun but will still be a sight to see — will be visible in other parks outside that path.
Day passes are still required for State Park Pass holders. While that pass will waive the fee for a day pass, a reservation is still needed to access the parks.
All but one park will take reservations for day passes online or by phone at 512-389-8900 starting Friday morning. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, near Fredericksburg, will take reservations by phone only at that number starting at 8 a.m. next Monday.
To reserve day passes, you must have the license plate number, make and model of your vehicle and the number of occupants, as well as a credit card number to book the reservation.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials advise setting up a reservation account online before Friday and identifying three parks to try for online reservations. For those making reservations by phone, English- and Spanish-speaking agents will be available, the agency said.
Parks in the path of totality near San Antonio and the Hill Country include:
Blanco State Park Government Canyon State Natural Area
Guadalupe River State Park
Hill Country State Natural Area
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Pedernales State Park