Clingmans Dome Solar Eclipse Event August 21 2017

Overview: Experience the Great American Total Eclipse From Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On August 21, 2017, the 67-mile wide shadow of totality will sweep across the national park's landscape and, as viewed from Clingmans Dome, will offer the unique possibility of seeing the moon's shadow moving across the landscape. For about 90-minutes the sun will become increasingly blocked by the moon leading up to "totality," lasting about 1 minute and 20 seconds, followed by the moon slowly receding.

When the sun is almost entirely blocked during totality, a different, almost eerie, twilight will descend upon the landscape, birds will start to sing, shadows will lengthen, and the temperature will drop. At 6,643 feet (2,2025 m), Clingmans Dome is one of the highest points east of the Mississippi River and many eclipse-viewing websites consider it one of the best places in the east from which to view this rare celestial event. Surrounded in all directions by ridge upon ridge of Southern Appalachian forests that comprise Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on clear days views can expand upward of 100 miles (161 km).

The National Park Service will close the Clingmans Dome area to general visitors and invites you to consider being among the approximately 1600 guests shuttled to the site for a unique, once-in-a-lifetime event. National Park Service naturalists are partnering with NASA, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Southwestern Community College to provide a special program consisting of featured speakers and storytellers. While the tower itself will be reserved for live broadcasting teams, the trailhead parking area is being converted into the special event site that will include a stage, speakers, a large-screen for participating in a national NASA broadcast, telescopes, educational exhibits and activities, food and commemorative items for purchase.

Participants will also be provided eclipse-viewing glasses.