Where to watch the solar eclipse in Georgia
A long 2 minutes 38 seconds of Totality can be glimpsed in Georgia’s northeast corner on August 21, 2017
Less than 15 miles of northeast Georgia is crossed by the Path of Totality, but there are still plenty of intriguing locations to watch the Total Eclipse of the Sun on August 21, 2017.
It’s a case of heading for the hills, specifically the extreme north-west of the state to Rabun County in the North Georgia Mountains near the borders with both North and South Carolina. The towns – and vicinities of – Clayton, Dillard, and Sky Valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains are all well-placed. Here are three places to watch, starting from the closest to the central path of Totality, to the furthest.
1 – Tallulah Gorge Total Solar Eclipse Festival, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia
It’s slightly south of the ‘maximum eclipse’ offered at the Line of Totality, but you only sacrifice about 17 seconds if you base yourself in the beautiful Tallulah Gorge State Park. Here, the Tallulah River flows through rugged terrain to carve a complex 1,000 foot geologic formation and five spectacular waterfalls which provide habitat for many unique species. Oh, and there’s an organised eclipse event on, too. There will be different stations set up to make your own viewing instrument as well as instruments set up for people to view the eclipse, activities including live music, crafts, and recreation, and experts on hand to answer questions about the eclipse. It’s a free event and open to everyone.
Partial eclipse begins: 13:07 pm EDT, Totality: 14:36 pm EDT (lasts 2 minutes 33 seconds), Partial eclipse ends: 16:01 pm EDT
2 – Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Sky Valley, Georgia
During this viewing party there will be music, food, and screens set up across the viewing area to watch as a NASA feed is shown with experts walking viewers through what is happening as the eclipse touches each state. Admission is $5 per person, with protective logo’d glasses included in the price. There will be on-site parking at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School on a first come first serve basis, and there will be off-site parking with shuttle service.
Partial eclipse begins: 13:07 pm EDT, Totality: 14:35 pm EDT (lasts 2 minutes 38 seconds), Partial eclipse ends: 16:01 pm EDT
3 – Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia
In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Rabun County, this is a great place to watch the eclipse amid stunning mountain views within an area ideal for whitewater rafting, hiking, waterfalls, lakes, boating, fishing and mountain overlooks. Try Cowee Overlook for a good eclipse-viewing location.
Partial eclipse begins: 13:06 pm EDT, Totality: 14:35 pm EDT (lasts 2 minutes 36 seconds), Partial eclipse ends: 16:01 pm EDT
Photo credit: www.exploregeorgia.org
