ST. LOUIS — Some of the best places to see the Great American Eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be in Missouri and Illinois.
In St. Louis, the moon will block out nearly 99% of the sun, but totality will be visible just a few hours south or east of the city.
Parts of Missouri and Illinois are in the path of totality, including a few that witnessed totality during the 2017 eclipse. With people coming from around the world to see the celestial show, you may need to find a viewing spot or event early.
Totality will be visible in spots from Texas to Maine. As it cuts through the Midwest, it will be visible at about 2 p.m. It will be the last time the path of totality is visible anywhere in the U.S. until 2044.
From state parks to universities, there will be no shortage of locations to take in the solar eclipse. Here are some of the best locations to view totality.
State parks
The state of Missouri put together a list of parks that will be in the path of totality. Some have lodging and camping, although many are already fully booked. Here is the list:
- Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson
- Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site, Pilot Knob
- Big Oak Tree State Park, East Prairie
- Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Burfordville
- Current River State Park, Salem
- Echo Bluff State Park, Eminence
- Elephant Rocks State Park, Belleview
- Eleven Point State Park, Couch
- Grand Gulf State Park, Thayer
- Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve
- Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, New Madrid
- Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Middle Brook
- Lake Wappapello State Park, Williamsville
- Missouri Mines State Historic Site, Park Hills
- Morris State Park, Campbell
- St. Joe State Park, Park Hills
- Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Ironton
- Towosahgy State Historic Site, East Prairie
- Trail of Tears State Park, Jackson
- Felix Vallé House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve
Many of the state parks in Illinois also have camping and lodging. You can find more information and make a reservation by clicking here.
- Beall Woods State Park, Mount Carmel
- Cache River State Natural Area, Belknap
- Cave-In-Rock State Park, Belknap
- Dixon Springs State Park, Golconda
- Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Carlyle
- Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville
- Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis
- Giant City State Park, Makanda
- Golconda Marina, Golconda
- Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, McLeansboro
- Horseshoe Lake Alexander County, Miller City
- Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Murphysboro
- Lake Murphysboro State Park, Murphysboro
- Lincoln Trail State Park, Marshall
- Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Newton
- Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area, Campbell Hill
- Pyramid State Recreation Area, Pinckneyville
- Randolph County State Recreation Area, Chester
- Red Hills State Park, Sumner
- Sahara Woods State Recreation Area, Carrier Mills
- Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area, Equality
- Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Johnsonville
- Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area, Newton
- Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area, Belknap
- Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, Kinmundy
- Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, McLeansboro
- Trail of Tears State Forest, Jonesboro
- Tunnel Hill State Trail, Vienna
- Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jonesboro
- Washington County State Recreation Area, Nashville
- Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area (Rend Lake), Whittington
- World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta
Cities in Missouri
Ste. Genevieve
65 miles south of St. Louis (one-hour drive)
2:41 of totality
Perryville
82 miles south of St. Louis (one-and-a-half-hour drive)
3:46 of totality
Perryville is hosting a three-day Solarfest event that will feature hot air balloon rides, a 5K run/walk and other events.
Cape Girardeau
115 miles south of St. Louis (two-hour drive)
4:05 of totality
Sikeston
150 miles south of St. Louis (two-hour-and-15-minute drive)
3:30 of totality
Sikeston is hosting a weekend-long event called Total Eclipse of the Park. For more information about the event, click here.
Poplar Bluff
152 miles south of St. Louis (two-and-a-half-hour drive)
4:07 of totality
Kennett
200 miles south of St. Louis (three-hour drive)
2:09 of totality
Cities in Illinois
Mount Vernon
80 miles east of St. Louis (one-hour-and-15-minute drive)
3:44 of totality
Benton
100 miles southeast of St. Louis (one-hour-and-30-minute drive)
4:05 of totality
Carbondale
100 miles southeast of St. Louis (two-hour drive)
4:08 of totality
After being in the path of totality in 2017, Carbondale is going all out again in 2024 with the Southern Illinois Crossroads Festival. SIU Carbondale is partnering with NASA to host a three-day event that culminates on Eclipse Day.
Alto Pass
110 miles southeast of St. Louis (two-hour drive)
4:08 of totality
The Bald Knob Cross of Peace will host an eclipse event. For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
Makanda
115 miles southeast of St. Louis (two-hour drive)
4:08 of totality
Makanda is home to the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, which will be hosting a weekend-long event. Click here for more information.
Fairfield
120 miles east of St. Louis (two-hour drive)
4:03 of totality
Marion
120 miles southeast of St. Louis (two-hour drive)
4:08 of totality
Olney
120 miles east of St. Louis (two-and-a-half-hour drive)
3:49 of totality
Olney & the Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a weekend-long event for the whole family. For more information, click here.
Metropolis
160 miles southeast of Missouri (two-and-a-half-hour drive)
2:33 of totality
See the solar eclipse in the hometown of Superman. The three-day event will feature live music, educational displays and local vendors. Click here for more information.
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