2023 Annular Eclipse

Illustration of the phases of an Annular Eclipse.

NPS/Kevin Doxstater

 

During an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing.

NPS Photo/Neal Herbert

A Centennial Eclipse

What better way to end Bryce Canyon's major centennial events than with an eclipse? This year, the U.S. will see its first annular solar eclipse since 2012! It will begin on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, beginning in Oregon and ending in Texas. Weather permitting, the eclipse will be visible in Bryce Canyon starting at 9:09 a.m. MDT and ending at 11:56 a.m., with the maximum eclipse of 90% being at 10:28 a.m.

Did you know?

The Bryce Canyon area experienced an eclipse exactly 100 years ago! On September 10, 1923 a total solar eclipse passed along the edge of the Pacific coast.

What is an Annular Eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it's at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover it. This creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky.

What to Expect

The 2012 annular eclipse brought over 10,000 visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park. Public awareness of eclipses has only grown in the years since, and while the park has no official estimates for visitation we expect it to be a very busy day.

There is a high likelihood that parking capacity will be reached early in the morning, requiring a restriction of private vehicle entries. This makes the Bryce Canyon shuttle and shared-use bike path the most reliable ways to enter the park and reach its most popular overlooks. As always, you can stay up-to-date with park alerts by visiting our Conditions page.

 

Special Shuttle Route for October 14's Annular Eclipse. Shuttle operations will begin at 6 a.m. and return to normal around 3 p.m.

Transportation

Shuttle buses will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 14. Due to expected high visitation, from 6 a.m. until around 3 p.m. the Bryce Canyon Shuttle will operate on a special eclipse route. This route will exclude some normal stops so as to prioritze Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints. All inbound and outbound shuttles will transfer at the Visitor Center.

Visitors may prefer to use the Rim Trail or the Shared-Use Path to reduce wait times.

Special Programs

The park will provide a special moon-based evening program the night before the eclipse featuring NASA Lunar Scientist Dr. Barbara Cohen. Dr. Cohen was recently selected as the Lunar Science Lead for Artemis IV, which will bring the second crew of astronauts to the Moon’s surface since Apollo. This program will be open to the public, held at 8 p.m. in the Lodge Auditorium.

The night after the eclipse will feature an evening program by Caltech postdoctoral fellow Cameron Hummels at 8 p.m. in the Lodge Auditorium. Tentative telescope viewing is planned after this talk.

No reservations are needed for these programs, however seating will be first-come, first-seated. Capacity in the Lodge Auditorium is 140 people.

Other places to view

All along Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park will provide excellent opportunities to view the eclipse, as will nearby national parks (see map below). That said, it will be difficult to beat the combination of Bryce Canyon's red rock hoodoos and the eclipsed sun above.

 

 

This unique eclipse poster will be available for purchase at the park Visitor Center bookstore.

Tyler Nordgren

Stay Safe and Protect your Park

Camping & Lodging

If the park doesn't experience any significant snowfall leading up to the eclipse, both developed campgrounds will be open. Both campgrounds will be first-come, first-served. Camping outside of established campgrounds is strictly prohibited within the bounds of Bryce Canyon National Park. For camping options outside the park visit the Garfield County tourism page.

Any visitors seeking to backcountry camp and experience the eclipse in more solitude should pick up a backcountry permit. Permits are required for all backpacking.

Dispersed camping may be available on nearby Dixie National Forest lands. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you go camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.

Safe Viewing Practices

Annular eclipses differ from total eclipses in that at no point is it safe to view the sun without properly rated eye protection! We want to ensure everybody has a safe morning and the equipment to do so! Sunglasses are not sufficient protection for viewing the sun.

Make sure you've found a safe place from which to view the eclipse. Don't be a distracted driver, stop your vehicle in a safe place if you plan on viewing the eclipse. Safe and lawful parking will be strictly enforced.

Emergency Assistance

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, ALWAYS CALL 911 OR SEEK OUT PARK STAFF
Staff will be fully committed the morning of the eclipse, which may affect backcountry rescue operations. Exercise caution if you plan on hiking into any backcountry areas the morning of the eclipse, and ensure others not in your group are aware of your plans.

 

Important Information

Check out the drop-down menus below for additional important information.

 

What You Need to Know

Eclipse Timeline

Your view of the eclipse depends on your location and the weather.

Bryce Canyon is located on the path of annularity across North America which means it is one of the locations on Earth from which the Moon will appear to pass directly across the center of the Sun. 

First Contact 9:09 a.m.: The first phase is called a "Partial Eclipse". This is when the Moon begins to pass in front of the Sun, slowly blocking more and more of the Sun’s light, making the Sun appear as a crescent getting smaller and smaller until it forms a “C” shape.

Second Contact 10:28 a.m.: "Annularity" is when the Moon passes completely in front of the Sun, leaving a ring of Sun visible from behind the Moon. This is the second phase of the eclipse and it lasts between 1 and 5 minutes, depending on where you're viewing it from. Here at Bryce Canyon it will be about 3 minutes. During the eclipse, the sky will grow dimmer and animals might behave as if it is dusk.

Third Contact 10:31 a.m.: The Moon will continue to move across the sun for about an hour and 20 minutes, producing another Partial Eclipse. 

Fourth Contact 11:58 a.m.: The Moon will continue to move until it no longer overlaps the sun, ending the eclipse.

Will special areas be designated in the park to view the eclipse?

There will be no special areas designated for eclipse viewing, and visitors are welcome to enjoy the eclipse in any area of the park normally open to the public. 

The Bryce Amphitheater area of the park and its four viewpoints (Bryce, Inspiration, Sunset, and Sunrise) will undoubtedly be the most visited areas. Trails in this area are likely to be heavily visited as well. Viewpoints along the Southern Scenic Drive will be limited in their visitation due to smaller parking lots and lack of shuttle service beyond Bryce Point.

Will special transportation services be available?

The park will maximize the capacity of its public transportation system to best service eclipse visitors. Riding the Bryce Canyon shuttle from the shuttle station just north of the park or using the shared-use bike path are the most reliable ways to enter the park. 

There is a high likelihood that private vehicle parking capacity will be reached early in the morning, requiring a restriction of private vehicle entries. In the event of a restriction, Lodge guests and visitors with a campsite reservation will still be be able to enter in their private vehicle.

It is likely that the Visitor Center will function as a transportation hub, allowing visitors to transfer from buses entering the park to those heading to overlooks. After the eclipse, it is likely that buses will bring visitors first to the Visitor Center where they can transfer to buses leaving the park. It is suggested that those open to walking utilize the 2.4 mile (3.9 km) section of the shared-use bike path connecting the Visitor Center to the shuttle station.

Bryce Canyon Shuttle
Even in the event of a private vehicle restriction, the Bryce Canyon shuttle will continue to operate, taking visitors as far south as Bryce Point.

Shared-Use Bike Path
Bike rentals are available at both the Historic Service Station and at vendors outside the park.

• From the Park Shuttle Station it is 2.4 miles (3.9 km) to the Visitor Center, ascending 336 feet and descending 97 feet.
• From the Visitor Center it is 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the Sunrise Point General Store, ascending 104 feet and descending 26 feet.
• From Sunrise Point it is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) to Inspiration Point (south end of path), climbing 343 feet and descending 168 feet.

How many people do you expect to be in the park for Totality?

In 2012 over ten thousand people came to experience an annular eclipse. While we don't have an estimate for this year's visitation, the expectation is that we will exceed this number. This has the potential to be one of the busiest single days in the park's history.

Will food services, restrooms, water and other services be available?

Food Services
Food services will be available at both the Bryce Canyon Lodge, the General Store, and Valhalla Pizzeria, all of which are located near Sunrise and Sunset Points. It is suggested that you also pack food for your group due to the potential of longer wait times.

Restrooms
Permanent restrooms will be available at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points, Farview Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, Sunrise Point (General Store), the Bryce Canyon Lodge, Valhalla Pizzeria, park campgrounds, and Mossy Cave. Portable toilets will supplement these and other popular viewpoints normally lacking restrooms.

Water
Water stations will be available at Sunset Point, Sunrise Point (General Store), park campgrounds, and the Visitor Center.

Other Services
Solar telescopes may be available at locations TBD.

Will areas be designated for the setup of telescopes?

At this time no official telescope areas have been designated.

Can visitors camp overnight before the eclipse?

Camping regulations will remain unchanged, and visitors camping overnight can only do so in provided campsites. Camping at park viewpoints and along trails is not permitted.

Will the park host special programs and activities ?

Yes. The park will provide a special moon-based evening program the night before the eclipse featuring NASA Lunar Scientist Dr. Barbara Cohen. Dr. Cohen was recently selected as the Lunar Science Lead for Artemis IV, which will bring the second crew of astronauts to the Moon’s surface since Apollo. This program will be open to the public, held at 8 p.m. in the Lodge Auditorium.

The night after the eclipse will feature an evening program by Caltech postdoctoral fellow Cameron Hummels at 8 p.m. in the Lodge Auditorium. Tentative telescope viewing is planned after this talk.

Can eclipse related merchandise be purchased in the park?

Yes. Special eclipse and centennial merchandise including glasses, unique artwork, and more will be available in the Bryce Canyon Association bookstore at the Visitor Center.

Where can a person get the eclipse safety glasses?

A limited number of eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at the park Visitor Center, however we strongly recommend bringing your own pair. Roving volunteers may have a limited number of glasses to share, but one shouldn't count on these being available.

Eclipse Safety

The Sun is never fully blocked by the Moon during the eclipse, therefore, it is never safe to view the sky without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope will cause immediate severe eye injury.

To safely watch the eclipse directly with your eyes, you must use solar viewing glasses ("eclipse glasses") or a handheld solar viewer at all times. Sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe to use for viewing the eclipse. 

If you don't have eclipse glasses or a solar viewer, you can use indirect viewing methods to watch the eclipse. One method is to create a pinhole projector, which has a small opening (like a hole punched out of cardboard), that you can use to project the Sun onto a nearby surface. Stand with your back towards the sun and view the projected image. Never look at the sun through the opening.

Finally, don't forget to wear SPF! If you're viewing the entire eclipse, you will be outside for several hours so remember to wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen to prevent skin damage.