Campsite reservations are now open for those hoping to camp out and watch the solar eclipse in southern Illinois next summer.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Tim Schweizer says you should probably reserve your spot now if you want to get a good seat to view the total solar eclipse on August 21st.
"Anyone interested in camping at a site in southern Illinois in the zone of the eclipse can make advanced reservations now. It's probably a good idea because it's expected that hotels will fill up; campsites will certainly be full by the time the eclipse occurs. Normally the Illinois Department of Natural Resources allows advanced reservations on campsites no greater than six months out, but we have a waiver for that period in August, the window for the eclipse. So, if you want to make a reservation for a campsite, a DNR site in southern Illinois between August 14 and August 27 next summer you can do so now."
The early reservations apply to sites like Giant City State Park; Trail of Tears State Forest; Fort Massac State Park; Cave-In-Rock State Park; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex; Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife area and more. More than 1,600 campsites are available to be reserved in advance.
Make your campsite reservation online at: reserveamerica.com.
For more information about eclipse activities, visit the City of Carbondale's website at carbondaleeclipse.com or SIU's at eclipse.siu.edu.
