Camping for the Total Solar Eclipse: Safety Info You Need to Know

The total solar eclipse is coming! And it’s slated to be the biggest camping event of the year (the last few years, let’s be honest).

Once you’ve found your eclipse campsite for Monday, April 8 (check out our map!), you’ll be ready to hit the road. And because we want to help you have an amazing experience, here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re heading out for your adventure.

Double-check your group size & carpool 🚗

Please make sure your group size matches the size you indicated when you booked. If not, please update your group size on your trip confirmation page. If your group size is larger than your campsite can accommodate, please respect your Host and see if it’s possible to book an additional site. No sites left? Contact your Host and let them know. If you can’t get a hold of your host before you arrive, contact Hipcamp support.

If coming in a large group, please carpool and minimize the number of vehicles you’ll be rolling up with—one vehicle per group of 4 is ideal. There will be lots of congestion on the roads all along the path, and carpooling will help keep this weekend green, too.

Prepare for the journey 🗺️

Make sure to allow extra time to get to your destination, as this astronomical event will draw millions of people to the path of totality across the country. The Great American Eclipse predicts that “between 931,000 and 3,725,000 people will travel from outside to inside the path of totality on eclipse day. This is in addition to the 31 million people residing inside the path of totality.”

So expect heavy traffic and lots of people camping. Embrace this chance to connect with your neighbors and share the experience! It may also be helpful to pack a little extra patience, snacks, and maybe a road trip game or two if you’re bringing the kids along for the ride!

Practice safe eclipse viewing 😎

Remember when your mom warned you about staring into the sun? Well, she was right, don’t do it! To safely look at the eclipse, you’ll need solar eclipse glasses. This is especially important during the eclipse—right up until totality when the sun is completely blocked by the moon. Totality—when it’s safe to look without glasses— will only last a few minutes though, so you’ll need glasses immediately before and right after. Be sure to use NASA-approved solar glasses, Or if you’re into DIY, consider making your own solar filter to go over your camera lens (for photos!), binoculars, or telescope.

Be fire safe🚰

Double-check your Host’s rules about campfires—not all Hosts allow them and we always want to reduce fire risk. If a campfire or camp stove is on your agenda this weekend (and your host allows them on their property,) be sure you’re practicing safe burning practices for building, enjoying, and extinguishing your fires. Check out our fire safety hub to brush up on how to safely build and extinguish campfires, then take our quiz to ensure you’re doing your part to prevent wildfires.

Leave it better ❤️

We pride ourselves on unlocking access to the outdoors for everyone. We hope that every person who shares in this once-in-a-lifetime experience remembers that it’s our privilege to enjoy the land. This means respecting your Hosts’ land and rules at all times and doing your best to leave things as you found them or—ideally—even better. When we work together as a community with this mindset, every little action to leave a place better than you found it can have an incredibly positive effect on our shared natural environment. Remember the 7 Leave No Trace principles.

Be mindful of the local community 🚗

Many rural towns have limited supplies, so it may be best to arrive self-contained with all the food, water, and items you’ll need during your stay. Drive slowly, be mindful of neighbors, and enjoy some quiet time in nature.

Enjoy the present 😌

Get some dirt on your feet, go for a hike, soak in the world around you on eclipse day. You may even want to shut off your phone for a bit to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Share your experience with us 📸

Hipcampers are headed to every state in the eclipse path this weekend, and we want to see what it’s like! Share your pics on Instagram and tag #hipcamp and #eclipse. The best photo and caption will get $50 Hipcash to go toward your next camping trip!

Need help? We’re here 📩

Find answers to your questions by reading your Host’s rules, contacting your Host, or checking out our FAQ. Our support team is also on standby to help—simply submit a request here.

Happy camping!
–The Hipcamp Team

Still need an eclipse campsite?

We got you.

• The Interactive Hipcamp Solar Eclipse Camping Map
• Spots Still Available: Incredible Campsites in the Total Solar Eclipse’s Path of Totality
• The 30 Best Campsites for the Solar Eclipse This April
• Nature Inspo: Our Favorite Photos from the 2017 Solar Eclipse
• What I Learned from the Great American Eclipse in 2017