How to see the Oct. 14th Solar Eclipse in Oregon
As the moon gears up to play cosmic hide and seek with the sun, it’s time to chart out the best vantage points.
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore., September 29,2023 — On October 14th, 2023, the highly anticipated annular solar eclipse will grace the skies of Oregon. While the Columbia River Gorge will witness a partial eclipse, some locations in the state will get to see a full on annular solar eclipse.
A map from Eclipsewise.com shows the annular eclipses path. The red line marks the most direct path of the eclipse. You must be somewhere in the central path (shaded in blue) to see the annular “ring of fire” phase of the eclipse.
The Columbia River Gorge will not be in the direct path of the solar eclipse meaning that only a partial eclipse will be visible. Those who don’t plan to travel but still want a shot at seeing a patiral eclipse in action are advised that the spectacle kicks off at around 8:00-8:06 a.m.
For eclipse chasers longing for a complete blackout lasting two to five minutes depending on how close you are to the middle path of the you’re best off heading South.
For The Shortest Drive Possible
From The Dalles: Take a 2hr and 40min drive to Sunriver, OR where the eclipse will begin at 8:05 a.m. and last 2 minutes and 18 seconds. Not quite enough darkness for you? Travel a bit farther to Diamond Lake or Crater Lake for an entire four and a half minutes of darkness!
From Hood River: Take a 2hr and 40min drive to Corvallis, OR where a partial eclipse will begin at 8:05 a.m. and last 1 minutes and 43 seconds. Not quite enough darkness for you? Travel a bit farther to Eugene for 3 minutes and 53 seconds of viewing or into the direct path of the eclipse at Yoncala for 4 minutes and 35 seconds.
Rather take a beach trip?
The eclipse will be visible from Newport to Bandon, OR.
Traveling to Dunes City or Reedsport will put you in the direct path of the eclipse, meaning a longer eclipse experience. Plus afterwards you can still spend a nice fall day eating clam chowder at the beach!
Know Before You Go
Be sure to check the weather before you go! Cloudy skies could put a real dampener on your trip!
And eclipse seekers are reminded that safety remains paramount. Residents and tourists are reminded to protect their eyes using solar viewing glasses, ensuring a mesmerizing yet safe viewing experience. In addition you might want to make your reservations in advance because hotels and campgrounds in small in Southern Oregon are sure to book up fast.
But whether you're perched atop the scenic landscapes of Crater Lake or nestled in the bustling heart of The Dalles, we hope you have a great eclipse! Throughout history, humanity has been fascinated by eclipses so it makes sense that even today the moon’s path in front of the sun remains a spectacle that draws our eyes to the sky reminding of us of the marvels of the infinite universe.
A map from Eclipsewise.com shows the path of the eclipse. The red line marks the most direct path of the eclipse. You must be somewhere in the central path (shaded in blue) to see the annular phase of the eclipse.
