Adventurous Ways to See the Total Eclipse in the ArkLaTex.

The celestial event of the decade is coming because of total eclipse in the ArkLaTex and some areas will experience total darkness. The line of totality moves from east Texas, across into southwest Arkansas and includes some of southeastern Oklahoma. There are lots of ways to enjoy the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex and here are five adventurous ways to enjoy this rare event. Don’t forget about the Solarbration event in downtown Texarkana! If you’re looking for more to do while you’re in the area, here are 100+ things to do in the ArkLaTex. This post contains affiliate links.

Why travel to totality?

Back in 2017 for the last total solar eclipse, my children and I traveled to Casper, Wyoming. It was, without exaggeration, one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. We still talk about it and remember it vividly. My children were only six and three at the time but it was impactful enough that the recall what happened. The sky darkened, the horizon went orange and we experienced an strange stillness. We are so excited for the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex and keep reading to find ideas for adventurous ways to enjoy it.

Total eclipse in the ArkLaTex.

The total eclipse will happen on April 8th and totality will occur at 1:46 around the Texarkana area. It will last close to two and a half minutes in Texarkana. Just a little bit to the north near DeQueen or Mena, totality will last a little closer to 4 minutes! Here is a quick run down of what to expect for the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex.

• Texarkana Arkansas – Totality at 1:46 PM – 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
• Mena, Arkansas – Totality at 1:47 PM – 4 minutes and 6 seconds.
• Hot Springs, Arkansas – Totality at 1:49 – 3 minutes and 36 seconds.
• Broken Bow, Oklahoma – Totality at 1:45 PM – 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
• Commerce, Texas – Totality at 1:44 PM – 4 minutes and 12 seconds.

Adventurous views in Texarkana.

There are a few unique and adventurous ways to view the total eclipse in Texarkana. The first is by participating in the Solarbration event and enjoying the total eclipse in two states at once on State Line! The famous State Line Avenue will be blocked off for a concert and festivities on April 8th starting at 11 AM! It’s one of the only places where you can stand in two states at once for the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex. Here are more adventurous ways to enjoy the eclipse:

• Launch a boat onto Bringle Lake and enjoy the views of the eclipse from the middle of the lake. A tip: anywhere where you can see the horizon is a bonus view because it will turn orange.
• Rent a kayak from Paddle TXK and enjoy the view on the lake. Check their Facebook page for updates and schedule.
• Hike the Bringle Nature Trail and enjoy the eclipse from the spillway art park.
• Walk the trail around Bobby Ferguson park while you watch the eclipse process.
• Find a spot out at Grady T. Wallace Park, play on the playground, and enjoy a walk around the pond while you watch for totality.
• Take a boat out on Millwood Lake or enjoy it from the state park.
• Here is an ArkLaTex guide to the best parks, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces in Texarkana.

Adventurous views in Arkansas.

The total eclipse in the ArkLaTex includes all of Arkansas! The Line of totality bisects the state from the southwest corner over Texarkana, diagonally northeast to Jonesboro. Arkansas has done a great job getting ready for the total eclipse and there are many festivals and events happening across the state. Since we are known as The Natural State, it’s only fitting that I share some epic and adventurous ways to enjoy the total eclipse. Here are a few tips:

• Buckeye and Caney Creek Hiking Trails Loop. Anywhere along the the ridge line on Buckeye Mountain would be a great view for the total eclipse! Note – this is a remote and strenuous trail, please be prepared with supplies.

A few Arkansas state parks.

There are lots of Arkansas state parks in the line of totality and a few are in the ArkLaTex area. Here are some adventurous ways to enjoy the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex in western and central Arkansas state parks:

• Lake DeGray State Park. This state park has a marina where you can rent boats, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and kayaks. There is a water trail that would be super fun to paddle and enjoy for the eclipse. A tip: pack a meal and paddle or boat out to one of the islands! Plus, the swimming beach is also a great spot for enjoying the eclipse.
• Lake Ouachita. This huge lake is by Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is a state park on the lake with a marina for boat rentals. Additionally, there are also several other marinas around the lake. We love to canoe camp on Lake Ouachita, or stand up paddle board camp on one of the island lakes! Anywhere on the lake will be a great view for the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex.
• Queen Wilhelmina State Park. This beautiful park is on top of a mountain in west central Arkansas. The Talimena Scenic Drive has lots of great viewing spots along the way from Mena to the state park. The campgrounds are sold out however there are still great places to enjoy the eclipse. A tip: the Lover’s Leap overlook would be ideal for enjoying the eclipse. Here are more family friendly things to do in Mena, Arkansas.

Adventurous views in Oklahoma.

Southeast Oklahoma is also in the line for totality. There are many great outdoor spots around Oklahoma to enjoy the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex. Here are a few of our favorite adventurous spots to enjoy it from in Oklahoma.

• Somewhere on Broken Bow Lake. Rent a boat, rent a paddle board, rent a canoe or kayak, or just enjoy it from the lake shore.
• Beaver’s Bend State Park. There are many trails in this park to enjoy. I would recommend the Friends Trail, the Cedar Bluff Trail, or being somewhere along the river.
• Steven’s Gap Area. For hiking, I’d recommend the Indian Gap Nature Trail. Another option is the Spillway Loop.
• Hochatown State Park. This park wraps around Beaver Lake and has lots of options for viewing the eclipse. The Lakeview Lodge trail is a great option!
• Looking for extra adventure? Try to plan a ziplining trip or Swincar expedition with Rugaru Adventures.

Here are more ideas for things to do in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids.

Adventurous views in Texas.

The total eclipse in the ArkLaTex includes a large portion of East Texas. There are some wonderful state parks in the path of totality. Here are some adventurous ways to enjoy the eclipse in east Texas.

• Enjoy all the events at Daingerfield State Park. Day passes are on sale now for the day of the eclipse and I highly recommend reserving one! Read more details here.
• Atlanta State Park will have day passes available and they have cute merch available too!
• There are 31 Texas state parks in the path of totality. See a map of all of them here. Reserve your day pass ahead of time to make sure you have a spot!
• One of the coolest things you could do during an eclipse: go fossil digging! The Ladonia Fossil area is a free place to go looking for dinosaur fossils. Get all the fossil digging tips here. It’s in a riverbed and a very adventurous way to enjoy the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex.

More Arkansas eclipse adventure tips.

There are so many things happening for the total eclipse in the ArkLaTex. In fact, there are almost too many to list for just Arkansas. Check out the main Arkansas eclipse page to learn about them. For some city specific guides curated by yours truly, check out:

• Here is an eclipsed focused family guide to Russellville, Arkansas.
• An eclipsed focused family guide to Jonesboro, Arkansas.
• For a truly memorable eclipse experience, try going crystal digging! Be sure to book your spot ahead of time. Avant Mining and Ron Coleman will both have special events going for the eclipse. Tip – My friends the Arkansas Crystal Girls have a crystal digging eclipse guide!

Enjoying your total eclipse in the ArkLaTex.

A total eclipse is an incredible thing to witness, especially when you see it in the zone of totality! There is nothing quite like the stillness you will experience when the sun goes dark. A tip: if you can get somewhere where you can see the horizon it will be even better. Here are more tips for how you can have your best total solar eclipse experience with kids. Plus, here’s a list of ideas for making eclipse gift baskets for your kids! I hope you and your family have an incredible total eclipse experience, wherever you go to enjoy it! A tip: making pancakes topped with Nutella is a fun way to welcome the day! I made them in 2017 and called them eclipse cakes!

Don’t forget to wear eclipse glasses! It’s never safe to look directly at the sun, even during a total solar eclipse. Make sure your kids have proper eclipse eyewear too. Sunglasses are not enough protection for your eyes! American Paper Optics make ISO certified, safe eclipse glasses in a variety of patterns.