Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, is preparing for visitor attendance and traffic congestion for the total eclipse event on April 8, according to a press release. The park announced a series of special events and community programs from Thursday, April 4, through Monday, April 8, to enhance the eclipse experience. These preparations include implementing road closures to ensure visitor safety.
In anticipation of the eclipse, which will feature a brief period of totality, the park is organizing numerous activities. Park rangers, in collaboration with experts from NASA, NOAA, and Earth to Sky, are coordinating educational and entertaining events throughout the community. These events are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for families and are offered at no cost.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about various topics, including space weather, current NASA research, the effects of eclipses on our planet, and the mechanics behind eclipses. Additionally, a two-day Eclipse Fest will be held on Arlington Lawn, offering interactive activities, demonstrations, and presentations by the visiting scientists.
The special events will kick off on Thursday, April 4, with a program at the Garland County Library titled Scientific Eclipse Discoveries and NASA Citizen Science, followed by a block party in downtown Hot Springs known as Bridge Street Live.
On Friday, April 5, the schedule includes a variety of programs, such as Moon Bear’s Shadow at the Garland County Library, a discussion on space weather and the eclipse at National Park College, sessions on eclipse science, and hands-on activities like building papercraft models of satellites. The day concludes with a panel discussion on careers and research at NASA and NOAA and a stargazing party at Lake Ouachita State Park.
The stargazing party will also take place on Saturday, April 6, offering another opportunity for visitors to engage with the cosmos under the guidance of NASA, NOAA, the Hot Springs Village Stargazers Club, and park rangers. Reservations are required due to the limited space.
On Sunday, April 7, the Entergy Park Pavilion will host A Rotation Revolution, a family-friendly presentation on eclipses.
Visitors planning to attend the eclipse at Hot Springs National Park are advised to prepare for limited parking availability. Additionally, camping is only allowed at designated sites within Gulpha Gorge campground, with reservations required through Recreation.gov.
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