11 Amazing Places to See the Solar Eclipse

When: 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time

The Oregon coast will be the first part of our continent to see the shadow, so savvy travelers have been snapping up spots here for at least a year. Campgrounds are booked, and ordinary motels are asking hundreds or thousands of dollars a night. Airbnb still has a smattering of listings for rooms, houses, and tents, but be warned: rates are much higher than normal.

When: 11:26 a.m. Mountain Time.

The eclipse passes just south of Yellowstone National Park, but not to worry; the part of Idaho darkened by the eclipse is just as ruggedly beautiful. This area is so isolated that part of it is called the River of No Return Wilderness. Indoor lodging is scarce and reservable campgrounds are likely all booked, but you can get a backcountry permit to camp in the wilderness, or stake out in the first-come, first-served Boundary Creek Campground, which has vault toilets, but no drinking water.

When: 11:39 a.m. Mountain Time.

A number of package deals are still available at Riverton: Sign up to camp out with fellow eclipse enthusiasts at a historic site, view the eclipse from horseback, or celebrate the eclipse with local Arapahoes.

When: 12:54 Central Time.

The flatlands may not be able to compete with the mountain states for scenic eclipse backdrops, but on the upside, maybe Nebraska will be less crowded. At Arnold State Recreation Area, camping around the only lake for 50 miles is first-come, first-served. You might even see the sun reflected, as it shrinks to nothing, in the mirror-like water. You can walk a mile into the tiny village of Arnold for supplies.

You could also try the private Hidden Valley Campground, where sites are $10 to $25.

When: 1:11 p.m. Central Time

This tiny former rail town is now a picturesque pitstop for bicyclists on the limestone-bluff-lined Katy Trail. Try to get a room in one of the bed and breakfasts or inns that normally cater to cyclists. Or, pitch a tent for free in the Three Creeks Conservation Area, 30 miles to the southeast and also in the path of totality.

When: 1:22 p.m. Central Time

This idyllic area at the southern tip of Illinois features lakes, bluffs, and unique geology. All campsites in the forest are first-come, first-serve, and the Oak Point Campground, on Lake Glendale, is directly under the path of totality.

When: 1:23 p.m. Central Time.

This park has considerately cataloged the best places to watch the eclipse in the area, even listing how many parking spots each has. There are a few campgrounds in the park, but if they’re full, lodging abounds north of the park, such as the condos as Green Turtle Bay Resort & Marina, which cost $700 a night and up.

When: 1:27 p.m. Central Time.

While Music City is at the southern edge of the totality zone, meaning you might not have much of a glimpse at the complete blackout, it’s the closest metropolis to the eclipse route. So if camping isn’t your thing, this may be your spot.

Although the experience will be much less serene than camping by a mountain lake, there will be more hoopla here than in the wilderness—tour companies have even booked eclipse weddings for those who want to tie the knot under a waning and waxing sun.

Almost all hotels are completely booked, but if you’re willing to spend a pretty penny, you can still find some AirBnBs available.

When: 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time.

Stay at the Fontana Village Resort and Marina, a beautiful Smoky Mountain lodge in the town of Fontana Dam, which is hosting an eclipse party with BBQ and live music. The National Forest also has several no-reservations campgrounds, allowing stays of up to 14 days.

When: 2:35 pm Eastern Time.

First-come, first-served campgrounds allow folks to stay for up to three weeks, so you may have to pitch a tent really early to snag a spot here. Fortunately, there is plenty to do in this 750,000-acre park while you wait, such as walking to the lovely Anna Ruby Falls, where some visitors spy whitetail deer.

When: 2:46 p.m. Eastern Time.

This will be the last bit of the United States darkened by the eclipse. Are you brave enough to view the event from a stand-up paddle board? More importantly, are you coordinated enough to keep your protective lenses on while you balance? If so, you might find yourself viewing the eclipse alongside a pod of dolphins off Bull Island.

There is plenty of lodging in Charleston, at the southern edge of the eclipse area, and since the interlude of darkness won’t occur until afternoon, you’d have time to drive to a better spot after a leisurely breakfast. If you want to wake up right under the path of totality, the Francis Marion National Forest has a number of first-come, first-served campsites.

This article was originally published on April 17. It was updated on August 17.