Everything You Need to Get the Best Viewing Spot in Maine for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

The 2024 Solar Eclipse crosses right through the heart of Maine on April 8. If the 2017 tourism information from that solar eclipse is an indication, you’ll need to start planning now since many cities in prime viewing spots will be sold out months, if not years, in advance. 20 million people witnessed the 2017 version.

This is happening at a time when the desire to visit Maine is at an all-time high, and staffing shortages in Maine are quite common. Let’s get you ready for the next solar eclipse in Maine.

What is the Next Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the moon is between the sun and the earth. As the earth rotates that day, daylight will slowly turn dark until it’s a nighttime anomaly around 3:00 pm EDT.

Much like we saw in 2017, the Great American Solar Eclipse will sweep across the country, sending certain cities into total darkness in the middle for three minutes during the middle of the day. The path is different, with this one spreading from Texas to Maine in the United States.

PATH OF TOTALITY: “The maximum phase of a total eclipse during which the Moon’s disk completely covers the Sun. Totality is the period between second and third contact during a total eclipse. It can last from a fraction of a second to a maximum of 7 minutes 32 seconds.” – NASA

This video shows what the eclipse progression will look like as it sweeps across Maine’s lakes and mountains and into Aroostook County.

Is Maine the Best State to View the Solar Eclipse?

The bonus of seeing the eclipse in Maine is that the state is more rural and less crowded than will be seen in other locations, like Dallas, Texas.

As a bonus, certain cities, like Houlton, will experience the longest stretch of darkness in Maine, which is the final stop on the eclipse’s sweep across America. Planning for this incredible event started in Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou, and Aroostook County in 2022.

“The next one we’re going to have here in New England isn’t going to be until 2079. So this is an event you don’t want to miss, and we’re making plans to have a big festival of events, expecting tens of thousands of people to come here for this,” said Johanna Johnston, Maine Eclipse Event Coordinator.

Where Can I See the 2024 Solar Eclipse in Maine?

While Aroostook County and Houlton have gotten a head start on 2024 Solar Eclipse planning, plenty of places from the Maine state line north of Highway 2 to the Canadian border will be in the Path of Totality. One of the prime viewing destinations will be Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park, the highest elevation in Maine.

Other notable locations include:

• Mount Bigelow
• Saddleback Mountain
• Sugarloaf Mountain
• Carrabassett Valley
• The Rangeley Lakes Region
• Moosehead Lake
• Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: It’s already a designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary with nearly 88,000 acres of rural land.
• Caribou

Can I See the 2024 Solar Eclipse on the Maine Beaches?

If you’re planning to visit coastal areas or large cities like Portland, Bar Harbor, or Acadia National Park, you’ll still get quite a solar show. You just won’t be in the Path of Totality. For example, Acadia National Park will get 97% of the eclipse, and Portland will get 96%. Bangor is the path of a 99% maximum eclipse.

How Long Is the Maine Solar Eclipse in 2024?

Eagle Pass, Texas, will get the longest Path of Totality, coming in at four minutes and 23 seconds. By the time the eclipse reaches Maine, the length will be around three minutes and 30 seconds in complete darkness. From the start of the moon covering the sun to the end of the eclipse spans an hour.

This Path of Totality for the 2024 Solar Eclipse is longer than the 2017 Solar Eclipse when the longest span of darkness was two minutes and 40 seconds.

What Lodging is Available in Maine for the Next Solar Eclipse?

Maine offers hotels, rentals, campgrounds, and RV parks throughout the year, and you can bet locals will be opening their doors to rent rooms and guest houses.

“We’re gonna have to reach out and look at lodging in our surrounding areas like Presque Isle and Bangor, but this is actually a great opportunity for people to get into Airbnb and VRBO. If you have a second home, or you’ve got another bedroom in your house, this is a chance to capitalize on that because people are coming.” – Johanna Johnson, Maine Eclipse Event Coordinator

A few key pieces of advice when looking for Maine lodging for the 2024 Solar Eclipse

• Book Early: Don’t wait to make plans or check the kids’ school schedule. Book as soon as possible to get a spot.
• Don’t Be Picky: You won’t find many luxury accommodations for hotels in this region. You should book whatever you can get because someone else will be waiting to scoop it up.
• Budget Busting: There’s a good chance rental rates and airfares will soar during this time period, so set up travel alerts for websites like Booking.com to get notified as soon as a deal is released.
• Minimum Stays: Any rental will likely have a minimum stay, so finding a room for one night will likely push you toward the coastline, outside the Path of Totality but still with a great view.

Are there Special Places to View the Maine Solar Eclipse?

We know that at least in Aroostook County, there will be designated “Star Parks” welcoming people. As we get closer to the date, more cities will announce viewing parties and locations for the public.

The national and state parks will have their own rules and spaces for viewing, but it’s important to remember that places like Katahdin Mountain already come with a strenuous climb and a limited number of people throughout the year. This mountain, while offering incredible and unique views, is also a strenuous climb.

Of course, you don’t have to be at a viewing party or community event to see the eclipse. However, places like the Houlton Airport will offer a viewing sight right along the Canadian border.

What is Maine Weather Like in April?

Despite most of the country enjoying spring during April, Maine is still in winter mode, with temperatures near or below freezing. Snow will likely be on the ground in this region or fall during your visit.

Here are the April averages for some several of the Path of Totality cities.

CITY	AVERAGE HIGH	AVERAGE LOW	SNOWFALL	RAINFALL
Rangeley Lake	49°(F)	26°(F)	9 inches	3.47 inches
Houlton	49°(F)	30°(F)	7 inches	3.14 inches
Presque Isle	50°(F)	30°(F)	5 inches	3.35 inches
Baxter State Park	41°(F)	20°(F)	7 inches	2.21 inches

 

The real question mark will be cloud cover in Maine. As the end of the line for weather patterns across the United States, there’s more of a chance for cloud cover during the volatile month of May, giving the region around a 60-70% of having cloud cover on an average early April day.

How to Safely View a Total Solar Eclipse

Looking directly at the sun during the eclipse can have long-lasting damaging effects on your eyes. Even regular eyeglasses or super dark lenses won’t be enough protection.

NASA insists that eclipse participants use safe solar viewers that comply with ISO 12312-2 international standards. You should not look through a camera lens or telescope without eye protection.

SCAM ALERT: With more than 31 million people in the path of this eclipse, there are sure to be some shady vendors selling questionable solar viewers at an escalated price. NASA provides this list of verified vendors to ensure you get safe glasses from a business that protects your personal information. Don’t delay the purchase since the 2017 glasses sold out quickly.

Dog Safety During the 2024 Solar Eclipse?

A dog will have no idea while everyone is looking at the sky and is at a low risk of having any eye damage, but if a pet looks at the sun, it could cause damage. There’s no risk in taking your dog to see the solar eclipse if you take the right safety steps.

You can get an extra pair of solar glasses for your best buddy as long as they adhere to NASA specifications. Common doggles won’t be enough to block out the damaging effects of the eclipse.

“Don’t make your dog look at the sun, even with glasses. Your dog naturally doesn’t want to look up, and you shouldn’t force him to,” Dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer for the AKC, said before the 2017 eclipse.

The bigger risk is stressing your dog out. If you’re wondering, “Can I take my dog to the solar eclipse?” in the dog-friendly Maine landscape, consider how well your pet will react to large crowds, potentially loud noises like bands or fireworks, or having new people approach them for a head pat.

Here are a few more pet-friendly Maine travel tips for the 2024 Solar Eclipse:

• RULES CHECK: Even dog-friendly accommodations could change the rules for this major event, so call ahead of time before you book to confirm.
• LANDSCAPE CHECK: If you plan to bring your pet to one of the dog-friendly parks in Maine, you should know there will likely be snow on the ground or some very muddy areas. Will your dog be resilient enough to handle the conditions?
• WILDLIFE CHECK: The region of Maine in the Path of Totality has the greatest population of moose and bears. In towns like Presque Isle, it’s not uncommon for a moose to walk across the street. Can your dog handle a wildlife sighting like that?

Is Traveling to Maine for the 2024 Solar Eclipse Worth It?

Maine didn’t earn the nickname Vacationland without having a robust list of things to do. As the popularity of visiting the state increases, you should know it’s more than worth it. It’s a must-see among a state of must-see wonders.

In addition, many cities like Houlton are planning several days of festivities leading up to the eclipse. Houlton is also at the border crossing to New Brunswick, Canada, offering the potential for an international trip to see the eclipse. This major event should prompt many cities that are traditionally shuttered during the shoulder season to open up.

Traveling to Maine for the solar eclipse is something you’ll tell your grandchildren about and offers a great family moment of cherished memories. Just don’t delay your plans since reservations will book up quickly.