Mark Twain National Forest spans 1.5 million acres. More than a third of that land will be within the path of the solar eclipse on April 8. Preparations are being put in place in case large crowds of people decide to utilize the Forest as a place to view the eclipse. The big unknown for the Forest Service, like others, is just how many people will flock to this half million acres of public land that day. The Forest will have personnel stationed at popular recreation sites to help answer questions and to let people know when the sites reach capacity. They will coordinate with personnel at other recreation sites to help visitors that arrive late know which areas still have some space. If you are thinking of making the national forest your ecliptic trip pick, then here are some things you can do to help make it a wonderful time for everyone.
•See the Smokey balloon at Big Spring! The Forest Service partnered with National Park Service Ozark National Scenic Riverways to bring the Smokey Bear hot air balloon to Missouri as part of their “Zark side of the moon” eclipse celebration. Balloon rides will be offered in the mornings on April 6, 7, and 8 in the field just across the parking area at Big Spring (weather dependent).
•The Forest has a wide variety of recreation options. Visitors could go see a historic mill or take a short hike before or after the eclipse. Go to our website at fs.usda.gov/mtnf (where we also have our Eclipse Tips page) and click on “Visit Us” to find recreation opportunities, maps, and more.
•Towns like Salem, Potosi, Doniphan, and Poplar Bluff (where Forest Service offices are located), are all great places to get food, gas, and supplies. If you have questions about where to go that day, stop in one of our offices while you are there. For visitor convenience, our offices in Potosi, Poplar Bluff, and in Doniphan will all be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday April 6 and Sunday April 7 as well.
•Look at VisitMo.com and MoEclipse.org for lists of eclipse related events. A quick internet search will reveal many fun activities happening in communities all around Mark Twain National Forest.
•Bring fun outdoor items – while hanging outside at a campground before the eclipse, kids can kick a soccer ball or throw a frisbee.
•Do some field identification! There are many great bird, plant, and insect identification guides online to download ahead of your trip, or you could stop by a Missouri Department of Conservation office to get some information. Getting to know your natural world is a great way to whittle away some time while waiting for the eclipse or to let crowds thin out afterwards.
•Look on the ground for the” colander effect” in areas where the sun is casts shadows as it passes through tree branches and foliage during the time leading up to and after totality.
•Hang out for a while and have a picnic – when was the last time you did that?
Safety and stewardship tips:
•Don’t forget your eclipse glasses! These will get harder to come by the closer to the eclipse and the further into the Forest you go. Practice safe viewing as outlined by NASA.
•Talk to the friendly rangers. Forest Service employees will be out and about at recreation sites and patrolling areas. If you have questions or are unsure of where you are going, stop and ask. They are happy to help.
•Park smart. Do not park in places that could block access to a person’s driveway (yes, we have dirt and gravel driveways off Forest roads in many places). Do not park in a way that block traffic, causes dangerous blind corners, or could hamper emergency vehicle ingress and egress.
•Utilize the facilities. Along with having many recreation sites open, additional port-a-potties and trash service will be in place at sites on the Forest. Bring a trash bag and ensure that trash gets put in bags and goes into appropriate trash bin.
•Cell service could be poor to none depending on location and crowd size. Downloading or having a paper map is important. Having some cash for vendors that can’t process cards could be wise as well.
Follow us on Facebook (marktwainnationalforest) to continue to receive updates as the event draws closer. We hope everyone visiting the Forest to view the 2024 eclipse has an experience that is out of this world!
