Eclipse visitors begin to arrive in Idaho Falls; area campgrounds filling up

An estimated 500,000 people are expected to be in Eastern Idaho for the total solar eclipse next weekend and they have begun to arrive.

Area campgrounds are completely booked and finding a place to stay is nearly impossible for guests who do not already have plans.

“It is booked everywhere,” said Craig Cribbs, who is visiting from California.

Craig and his wife, PJ, were able to spend Wednesday night at Snake River Campground in Idaho Falls but because they are self-proclaim ‘procrastinators’, they are going to have to relocate to Mackay Sunday night. It was the nearest location they could find with the help of KIFI/KIDK reporter Chris Oswalt.

“Just now got a reservation,” Craig said. “Thanks to you and your tip.”

Many campgrounds have been booked for weeks, even months. The officer manager at Snake River Campground, Teena Lords, said the calls are nearly double the normal amount.

“We are using sites we don’t normally use for the eclipse,” Lords said. “We have been booked up since mid-October.”

In rural Bonneville County, find a camping spot was a little easier. Jason Elson and his wife pitched their tent at Kelly Island Campground without any neighbors.

“It’s kind of a once in a lifetime deal,” Elson said. “We’ve seen eclipses before, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a total eclipse.”

For those who don’t have a camping spot, Craig from California has an option.

“We were going to be here come hell or high water whether we a place to stay or not,” he said. “We could always just stay in the car.”

Lords said she has guests from as far away as China staying at her campground.

The total solar eclipse will move through Eastern Idaho just after 11 a.m. Monday.