EXCLUSIVE: 10 campsites for Eclipse 2017 in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming & Nebraska with vacancies
A night under canvas will get you into the Path of Totality before the traffic nightmare unfolds on the morning of August 21
It’s going to be busy on August 21. REALLY busy. A lot of the roads into the Path of Totality – which crosses some pretty remote areas – will get super-busy. So you need to get into the Path of Totality as early as possible, preferably the night before. Finding a hotel will mean spending a lot of money, but there are dozens of campsites in otherwise so-called sold out areas – all prime eclipse-viewing areas – that are still taking bookings. Here are 10 of them:
1 – Oregon SolarFest 2017, Madras, Oregon
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Two miles north of Madras and surrounded by the Cascade Range, this camping area still has tickets for camping & RV spaces for Thursday Aug 17, 2017 – Tuesday Aug 22, 2017, starting from $300. Expect a 2 minute 4 second Totality.
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2 – Bear Patch Gardens, Eastern Oregon
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Just south of the centerline offering a 2-minute Totality, this private three-acre campsite between Mount Vernonon and Dayville on Hi-way 26 is offering camping from August 15-25. All guests must 21 and older. It’s a southern facing mountain with a unobstructed views. Tickets are $350 per night for August 19-21, with additional nights before or after the event $250. Email: eclipsebearpatchgardens@gmail.com Phone: (541) 620 8345.
3 – Bull Canyon Ranch, Grant County, Oregon
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Located on Highway 19 about 7 miles north of the John Day Fossil Beds Nat’l Monument, Bull Canyon Ranch will experience 2 minutes 5 seconds of Totality. Along with spectacular eclipse viewing, there is no light pollution so star-gazing is great. Elk and deer roam freely in this country making early morning wildlife sighting likely. The Nat’l Park owns land along the north side giving public access to the John Day River as well as the trails at Foree. Tent camping is $50/night and RV park is $150/night. There is a 2-night minimum with a $100 non-refundable deposit. Any balance will be due by August 1. No pets. No smoking. No campfires. Address: 36603 Highway 19 Kimberly OR 97848 Email: bullcanyonranch@gmail.com Phone: (541) 934 2027.
Ebook: USA Eclipse 2017 Travel Guide: 50+ observation locations & road trip itineraries for the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
4 – Teton 80 Eclipse, Driggs, Idaho
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The Teton 80 Eclipse will be held from Wednesday, August 16, 2017 on a wheat field just south of Driggs, Idaho – and just across the border from Wyoming and the Grand Tetons National Park. Totality here will last 2 minutes 20 seconds. Three nights camping costs $150, while an RV will set you back $450, though various other packages and add-ons are available. You can book tickets here. Email: teton80eclipse@gmail.com
5 – Eclipse 2017 at the Jim Moss Arena, Riverton, Wyoming
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This event at the Jim Moss Arena will stage a ‘Chasin’ The Eclipse’ barrel race the day before August 21, which will bring a whopping 2 minutes 24 seconds of Totality. The JMA will also be hosting RVs and camping on its vast site for $100 per night. RV spaces with electricity and water are limited, but space for dry camping is unlimited. Email: paulette@thewrangler.com Phone: (307) 851 9854.
Ebook: 100 Best Places in the USA to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017
6 – Eclipse at Blazing 7s Ranch, 52 Last Chance Drive, Riverton, WY 82501
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Blazing 7s Ranch is charging $150 for night of August 20, offering dry camping lots (20’ x 40’) to RVs, travel trailers and vans; also tent camping on the buttes behind, which are 100ft tall. The pasture land is 28 acres and has a view of Ocean Lake and the Owl Creek and Wind River Mountain Ranges.
Bookings: Blazing7sRanch@gmail.com, (307) 240-1328 for reservations.
7 – Buckhorn Eclipse 2017, 101 Buckhorn Flats Rd, Buckhorn Ranch, Riverton, WY 82501
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Just 10 minutes from Riverton, Buckhorn Ranch is offering 20×40 pull-through RV sites (no hook-ups) and 20×20 tent sites. Potable water and portable restrooms will be available, and food and drink vendors will be on site.Bookings: Buckhorneclipse2017.com, (307) 349-0669 or (307) 349-1770
Ebook: USA Eclipse 2017 Travel Guide: 50+ observation locations & road trip itineraries for the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
8 – Casper Eclipse Festival 2017, Casper, Wyoming
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Staged at Green Acres Campground on Green Acres Farm, camping tickets are selling from $200, with RV sites for $365 and even a Modular House going for $1,050. Price includes three nights stay, Friday through Sunday. A 2 minutes 22 seconds Totality will occur here.
9 – Gage County Fairgrounds, Beatrice, Nebraska
Camping is available over 60 acres of countryside, with plenty of wide open spaces to view the sky. Some 20 or 30 amp hookup options, no sewer or water, but there is a dump site on the grounds, along with water to refill. Restrooms and hot showers are also available. Rates are $20 per day and tickets can be booked now – but after August 1, 2017 camping will be on a first-come basis. Email: info@gagecountyfair.com Phone: (402) 205 3292.
Ebook: 100 Best Places in the USA to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017
10 – CenterLine Camping, Ringgold, Nebraska
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Welcome to Ringgold, Nebraska – population 9. Or 7. Depends on the day. The USA has space, and lots of it, and the Nebraskan Sandhills has more than most. CenterLine Camping is offering tent camp grounds for rent (RV places are sold out), showers, homemade meals, a quiet outdoor experience and a private VIP viewing area for the enormous 2 minutes 34 seconds of Totality on August 21. Tents cost $50 each.
Email: centerlinecamping@gmail.com Phone: 308.520.0566.
Ebook: USA Eclipse 2017 Travel Guide: 50+ observation locations & road trip itineraries for the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
Photo credit: Travel Wyoming
