Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — East Tennessee is about to experience a celestial phenomenon in just a few days. On Monday, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the United States stretching from Texas to Maine. But East Tennessee will experience 88% of it.
From 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff and volunteers will be available to provide eclipse information and safe, facilitated viewings in the following:
- Newfound Gap parking lot
- Various locations around Cades Cove Loop Road, including near the John Oliver Cabin and at the Cades Cove Overlook
- Outside the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
The partial eclipse is expected to start at around 1:49 p.m. Eastern Time, reaching its maximum at around 3:07 p.m. The eclipse is expected to end at around 4:23 p.m.
Viewing a solar eclipse without proper eye protection is dangerous. So, to ensure safe viewing, park staff will provide one free pair of glasses per family/group at the viewing locations while supplies last.
If you would like to have enough glasses for everyone in your group, you have the option of purchasing solar eclipse glasses from the park's retail partner Smokies Life. Glasses are retailed at $1.50 each.
The most recent total solar eclipse visible from the United States took place on Oct. 14, 2023, and the next one will occur in 2044.