Eclipse Basics Information

Eclipse Phenomenon Basic Info

The grandest TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE of our lifetimes will occur April 8, 2024, and we have a great location lined up for you to enjoy right here in Morrilton, Arkansas and all of Conway County. With well over FOUR minutes of totality with the sun directly overhead, here in Morrilton we have the perfect locations throughout our community. A city-wide festival is now being planned and will include many activities and educational programs, vendors, food trucks and fun and games for everyone around town.

We are in the middle of the path of totality, and with great mountain views and an incredible darkness totality of 4 minutes 13 seconds, you’ll have an experience of a lifetime. It typically takes 550 years for a total solar eclipse to pass over the same place twice in the Northern Hemisphere and 350 years in the Southern Hemisphere. NEVER before seen in historic times has an eclipse this long taken place over American soil.

The Conway County map shown here demonstrates (yellow stripe) the PATH that the shadow of the moon (75 miles across) will take across the county landscape, moving from lower left to upper right at about 2,800 miles per hour.

For those wanting to view another total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States after the 2024 event, it’ll be a 20-year wait until August 23, 2044, for the next one. Plus, that eclipse is visible only in north-eastern Montana and a tiny segment of North Dakota. So let’s make 2024 a huge celebration!! There is NO BETTER location to view the eclipse than from Morrilton, Arkansas.

The town and surround areas have put together days of concerts, concessions, vendors, and activities to give this Eclipse a bit of festivity. We are also located close to 15 state parks and a short drive from Petit Jean Mt. We will also have guest speakers, including P. Clay Sherrod, to help shed some light on this magnificent planetary phenomenon.

Various options are available during the reservation process and lodging will be limited because of the enormous crowds that we are expecting.

Yes, there will be some festivities going on during the week prior to the main festival…. music, vendors, concessions, and activities. The full line of concerts and festivities will be announced HERE, so check often and be prepared!

NOTE that we recommend early reservations, early arrival and for sure a stay over the weekend leading up to the eclipse. Most roads will be blocked with traffic and visitor vehicles the day of the eclipse!