AUSTIN (KXAN) — As of Thursday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said only six state parks in the path of totality had day passes still available for the April 8 eclipse.
The parks with availability include:
- Atlanta State Park
- Cedar Hill State Park
- Daingerfield State Park
- Lake Bob S andlin State Park
- Purtis Creek State Park
- Tyler State Park
The department recommended visiting the Texas State Parks reservation system online for the latest information.
TPWD said the total eclipse would cover 31 of the state’s parks; however, no advance reservations were available for Lyndon B. Johnson or Old Tunnel State Parks. Entrance to the parks will be on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the department.
Due to the celestial event, TPWD said entry to the parks April 8 would be restricted to those who pre-purchased day passes or camping permits.
“[TPWD] encourages visitors planning to view the event from state parks to reserve a day pass in advance,” the department said. “Many of the parks in the line of totality are already fully reserved and Texas State Parks staff anticipate all will reach capacity.”
For pass holders, the department recommended coming early and staying late as traffic delays are expected as well as bringing enough food, water and fuel in case of delays.
TPWD also said proper eye protection should be used to view the eclipse. Park visitors are allowed to bring pre-purchased eclipse glasses or use an indirect observation method. The department said eclipse glasses would be available for purchase at many parks, but quantities were limited.
“A variety of specialty equipment to enhance eclipse viewing will be available at parks along the eclipse’s path,” TPWD said. “The equipment list includes 20,000 eclipse safety glasses, tabletop sun-spotter telescopes, telescope tripods and solar filters, binocular filters, smartphone sun photography adapters and eclipse-themed books.”
State parks in the path of totality that are already sold out include:
- Blanco State Park
- Bonham State Park
- Cleburne State Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Cooper Lake State Park
- Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Fort Parker State Park
- Garner State Park
- Government Canyon State Natural Area
- Guadalupe River State Park
- Hill Country State Natural Area
- Inks Lake & Longhorn Cavern State Park
- Kickapoo Cavern State Park
- Lake Tawakoni State Park
- Lake Whitney State Park
- Lost Maples State Natural Area
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Meridian State Park
- Mother Neff State Park
- Pedernales Falls State Park
- South Llano River State Park