The Best Places to Watch the 2024 Solar Eclipse

onX’s Top Recommendations

Here are the top five states to view the solar eclipse, based on recreation opportunity and access to public land acreage.

1. Arkansas. Home to 3,097,069 acres of publicly accessible land in the path of totality, eclipse viewers can paddle the Buffalo National River, hike over 350 miles of trails in the Ozark National Forest, off-road through the Ouachita National Forest, or explore the mountain bike trail system outside Hot Springs National Park.
2. New York. Here, the path of totality encompasses 2,939,917 acres of publicly accessible land. The Adirondacks are home to over 3,000 lakes and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams. This park also has nearly 2,500 climbing routes. Letchworth and Allegany State Parks are home to 50 miles of hiking trails on the eastern side of the state.
3. Missouri. 1,334,929 acres of publicly accessible land are found in the path of totality in Missouri. Eclipse viewers can off-road in St. Joe State Park or explore over 1,000 miles of hiking trails along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and in the Mark Twain National Forest.
4. Indiana. Home to 583,903 acres of publicly accessible land in the path of totality, eclipse viewers in the Hoosier state can explore over 100 climbing routes in Muscatatuck Park, hike Brown County State Park and Hoosier National Forest trails, or get out on the water at Brookville Lake.
5. Maine. 543,185 acres of publicly accessible land are found in Maine’s section of the path of totality. This spring, viewers can enjoy 12,000 miles of trails, many found in Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Additionally, most (255 miles) of the Appalachian Trail in the Pine Tree State are within the eclipse’s path.