Reserve New York Campsites Now to View Rare Total Solar Eclipse

I love campgrounds. Maybe that's why my wife and I have spent many of our summer weekends and vacations at campgrounds for over 20 years.

If you have spent any time at a campground you know why they are so much fun and for relaxation. Normally campground don't open until he beginning of May each year. Some open a bit earlier on April.

Campgrounds stay open anywhere from just after labor day to the end of October. The place my wife and I camp is open from the 1st of May through the 31st of October, so we can get in a solid six months if we so choose.

But, in April of 2024, some New York State parks will open a bit early because a total solar eclipse will trace a narrow path of totality across 15 U.S. states. That includes most of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and Adirondacks

According to the New York State Governor Kathy Hochul website, people who want to experience a rare total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024 can stay at seven State Park campgrounds that will open for the event.

Next year, New Yorkers and visitors alike will have the opportunity to witness an extraordinary, celestial show in our state as the solar eclipse passes over the heart of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Adirondacks in 2024. Our State Parks will open campground accommodations early, prior to the traditional camping season, to ensure people can see this amazing display in one of New York’s beautiful natural settings. I encourage all who are interested to reserve their spot beginning this week for this incredible event. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

Reservations are now being taken for certain New York State Parks at a total of 335 campsites, cottages and cabins. The Governor's office states that for visitors with reservations for the night of April 8, check-out time is 11:00 a.m. the following morning, so visitors can avoid traffic and enjoy the attractions of the region after the eclipse.

According to the NYS Governor website:

Reservations can be made nine months in advance for a minimum of two nights through ReserveAmerica.com. Sites will be available April 4-8 at the following New York State Parks:

• Allegany State Park, 2373 ASP, Route 1, Salamanca, NY 14779 (Allegany County), for 165 sites, including campsites, cabins, cottages, and a group camp. New reservations open July 4.
• Fair Haven Beach State Park, 14985 State Park Road, Fair Haven, NY 13064 (Cayuga County) for 29 cabins and one cottage. Reservations open July 5.
• Letchworth State Park, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427 (Livingston/Wyoming counties) for 19 cabins and cottages. Reservations open July 5.
• Evangola State Park, 10191 Old Lake Shore Road, Irving, NY 14081 (Erie County) for 25 campsites. Reservations open July 5.
• Four Mile Creek State Park, 1055 Lake Road, Youngstown, NY 14174 (Niagara County) for 50 campsites. Reservations open July 5.
• Golden Hill State Park, 9691 Lower Lake Road, Barker, NY 14012 (Niagara County) for 25 campsites. Reservations open July 5.
• Wellesley Island State Park, 44927 Cross Island Road, Fineview, NY 13640 (Jefferson County) for 21 cabins and cottages. New reservations open July 5.

This will be a great time to catch this spectacular event, because the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous United States will not occur until August 2044. And that's a long ways way.