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On April 8, 2024, a big portion of Travis County will be in the path of totality of a solar eclipse. That means at around 12:17 p.m., the sky will begin to darken as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. The totality will be reached at around 1:36 p.m. when the moon completely covers the sun, and it’ll remain dark for about one to three minutes. It’ll gradually get light again, and the eclipse will be over by around 2:58 p.m. The exact timing and how long you are in the dark during the totality can vary depending on exactly where you are in Travis County.
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What to Expect
Witnessing a total solar eclipse is an awe-inspiring moment. Even though total solar eclipses occur once every 18 months or so, they happen in the same spot only once about 400 years.
The last time Austin and Travis County were in the path of totality was 1397. The next time we’ll be in the path of totality will be 2343.
The 2044 total solar eclipse will pass through Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
On April 8, 2024, when the totality is reached at around 1:36 p.m., it will be dark like dawn or dusk. It may even feel cooler because the sun is completely blocked by the moon.
Central and western portion of Travis County is in the path of totality.
Declaration of Local Disaster
Effective Friday, March 8, 2024, Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued a Declaration of Local Disaster in anticipation of extremely large crowds, increased traffic, and enormous strains on first responders, hospitals, and roads on the days leading up to, on, and after the day of the upcoming total solar eclipse. The large crowd may create a public safety hazard and impede or delay first responders answering calls for service.
The disaster declaration enables Travis County to take actions necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors and position itself for aid and assistance if needed.
Eclipse Gathering Registration
Under the disaster declaration, private property owners in the unincorporated areas of Travis County will be required to notify the County if they plan to host a gathering with more than 50 people to watch the eclipse.
The hosts can fill out a form to register their events. They’ll need to provide their name, address, contact information, and how many people will be present. This will allow Travis County first responder agencies to prepare accordingly.
Preparation Tips for Residents
The total solar eclipse is expected to draw a lot of people to Central Texas. Expect visitors to drive through Travis County to get to the Hill Country, which is closer to the center of the path of totality. Many people will also watch from Austin-Travis County.
- Plan ahead for heavy traffic all day Monday, April 8, 2024, especially after the eclipse when people leave at the same time
- Work from home that day if you can
- Make non-urgent appointments for a different day if you can
- Get gas and groceries and run other errands before the eclipse day
- Watch at home or pick a location near home to watch
- Don’t stop in the middle of the road or on shoulders to watch the eclipse
- If you will be traveling somewhere to watch the eclipse, download What3Words on your phone, which will help first responders find you in an emergency
You can follow Travis County and Travis County Emergency Services on social media for more preparation tips leading up to April 8.
- Travis County Facebook
- Travis County Twitter
- Travis County Instagram
- Travis County Emergency Services Facebook
- Travis County Emergency Services Twitter
Parks Reservation
Travis County residents and visitors wishing to watch the total solar eclipse from Arkansas Bend Park, Pace Bend Park, or Reimers Ranch Park will need to make a day-use reservation for April 8, 2024.
Reservations opened Monday, March 11, 2024. Please follow all rules and recommendations listed on the Travis County Parks solar eclipse webpage.
Other Travis County Parks that won’t have day-use reservations will be first come first serve. When they reach capacity, they will close.
All overnight camping spots at Arkansas Bend Park and Pace Bend Park and day-visit spots for Hamilton Pool Preserve filled up for April 8th when those reservations opened as normal earlier this year.
Eclipse Viewing Safety
You will need specialized solar viewing glasses to watch the eclipse safely. It is not safe to look directly at the sun.
When the moon begins to pass between the sun and the Earth at around 12:17 p.m., put your eclipse glasses on to see the partial eclipse. The sun will be crescent-shaped.
As the moon continues to move across, right before it completely blocks the sun, only one bright spot will remain, making it look like there’s a diamond ring around the sun. You will need to keep your eclipse glasses on still.
Once the diamond ring disappears, the totality is reached. You can then remove your glasses. When it begins to brighten again, put your glasses back on.
