Great Smoky Mountains National Park to host eclipse viewing locations

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across a swath of the United States stretching from Texas to Maine. Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies outside the path of totality but will experience an 86 to 87% obstruction of the sun during the event.

In the national park, the moon will begin its intersection of the sun's orbit at 1:49 p.m., the obstruction will reach its maximum extent at 3:08 p.m. and the event will conclude at 4:23 p.m.

To ensure safe viewing, park staff will make available one free pair of glasses per family or group at the viewing locations listed below while supplies last. If visitors wish to have enough glasses for everyone in their group to view the eclipse at the same time, they will need to bring eclipse glasses along or purchase them. The park's retail partner Smokies Life will have solar eclipse available for $1.50 each at park store locations.

Park staff and volunteers will be available to provide eclipse information and safe, facilitated viewing from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Newfound Gap parking lot, outside the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and at various locations around Cades Cove Loop Road, including near the John Oliver Cabin and at the Cades Cove Visitor Center.

A Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer activity book will be available for free at these locations for anyone who wants to earn a Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer badge.