2023 Solar Eclipse Guide + Where to Camp

By Trevor Adams, avid RVer and Ed.D., Assistant Professor OTP, Meteorology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 

Who turned off the Sun?

Solar eclipses don’t happen often but when they do, it’s a sight not to see, that’s right, not to see because the Moon blocks out some or all the Sun’s light. At some point in our lives, most of us have likely experienced a solar eclipse.

Why do we even have solar eclipses? And why are they not frequent?

The Sun and Earth lie in a flat plane, where the Earth orbits the Sun, and the Moon orbits the Earth. When the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, depending on its position, it can cause a partial or total eclipse of the Sun (cue the 80s music). Remember, the Moon does not give off any light of its own. Its surface only reflects sunlight from the portion that is visible to the Earth.

People will often ask why we don’t have frequent or regularly scheduled solar eclipses, just like we do the phases of the Moon. The answer is that the Moon’s orbit is offset by about 5° degrees from the Sun-Earth plane. This means that the Moon’s path causes it to block the Sun either partially or fully depending on its position, just like the different phases of the Moon visible from Earth. The major categories of solar eclipses are a partial eclipse, where a part of the Sun is blocked out, an annular eclipse where the Moon nearly blocks the entire disk of the Sun, but a small ring of the Sun remains, and the total eclipse where the Sun is completely blocked. 

Solar Eclipse Safety

In general, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without using proper eye protection for viewing eclipses. Instant severe eye injury will occur if you look directly at a solar eclipse even if it’s through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without using a special-purpose solar filter secured on the viewer. Be sure to always use eclipse glasses, or a safe handheld solar viewer, when viewing an eclipse. You can also make your own pinhole projector to witness the effects of the solar eclipse without looking to the sky.​ Detailed instructions for making one can be found here.

Camping and Solar Eclipses: When and where are the best times to see a solar eclipse?

This year, the biggest eclipse the United States will see is the annular eclipse on October 14, 2023. An annular eclipse is when the edge of the sun is still visible, creating a fantastic “ring of fire” in the sky. The best states to see 90% of the Sun’s surface blocked out will be Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Oregon with a small northeastern part of California. See NASA’s chart for exact times of start of the eclipse on Saturday morning based upon location. Two thirds of the country will see between 40 and 80% coverage. It will be another 16 years before the 

next ring of fire solar eclipse will pass through North America. Since this is a rare event, you should book your RV spot soon!

Experience this event in your RV at EclipseFest23

Campers looking to make the most of this astronomical event should make plans to experience the eclipse event of the year in Klamath County, Oregon - just outside of Crater Lake National Park! EclipseFest23 is a 3 day action-packed festival of food, drink, camping, activities, and a Smash Mouth concert to welcome the 2023 annular eclipse. Taking place October 10-15, 2023 with 5 days of camping, travelers can book their RV or tent spot, festival access, and get tickets for the concert all in one place here. You'll want to book soon for the best prices and to make sure you don't miss out on this once-in-a-generation event! 

On the Road to EclipseFest23

Plan your entire solar eclipse 2023 roadtrip ahead of time! Here are some of our top picks for RV spots conveniently located along major highways en route to EclipseFest23. 

Sacramento River RV Park
Redding, CA

Sacramento River RV Park is a quiet riverfront escape conveniently located off US 5. Popular recreation activities include fishing, swimming, and relaxing on the waterfront under the shade of the trees.

Trailer Lane Campground
Weed, CA

Epic views of Mt. Shasta await campers at Trailer Lane Campground, just minutes from US 5 for easy navigation to EclipseFest23. The local area is teeming with recreation opportunities from golf and skiing to watersports on Lake Siskiyou.

CDA River RV  
Cataldo, ID

Centrally located to over 70 miles of paved trails, CDA River RV is a nature enthusiast's paradise. Campers have access to the Coeur d'Alene River for waterfront activities and can easily hop back on to Route 90 to continue on their journey.

Lost Moose Campground
Cataldo, ID

Lost Moose Campground is remote enough to offer tons of secluded outdoor recreation with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, while still providing easy access to and from Route 90. With miles of trails for ATVs, biking, and hiking on site, campers will love cooling down from their long day of adventure in the creek. 

Glen Ayr Resort
Hoodsport, WA

At Glen Ayr Resort, you can recover from your long day at the wheel in the large spa hot tub. The resort boasts over 700 feet of private beach to relax and cast a line. Quickly hop back onto Route 5 to resume your journey south to EclipseFest23. 

Silver Lake Resort
Silver Lake, WA

Views of Mt. St. Helens await campers at Silver Lake Resort, just off Route 5. Popular activities at this picturesque Pacific Northwest campground include fishing, boating, and swimming in the calm waters of Silver Lake.

Old Mill RV Park & Event Center
Garibaldi, OR

Campers looking for mountain views and ocean breeze can have it all at Old Mill RV Park. 40 acres on the Pacific Ocean and right off scenic Route 101 make this location ideal for hiking, fishing, biking, and taking in the beauty of coastal Oregon.

Bay Point Landing
Coos Bay, OR

Bay Point Landing is an award-winning destination packed with recreation and amenities, providing access to the wilderness of Oregon in a modern setting perfect for recuperating after a long drive. Once you're relaxed and restored, it's a quick trip back onto Route 101.