21 National Parks Where You Can Enjoy the 2017 Solar Eclipse
Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
Before the moon's shadow heads over the Atlantic Ocean, it will cross Fort Sumter National Monument in Charleston, the last major city within the path of totality.
South Carolina's historic Fort Sumter is located in the Charleston Harbor. The national monument also includes Fort Moultrie, which is located on Sullivan's Island.
During the total solar eclipse, Charleston will experience about 1 minute and 33 seconds of totality, starting at 2:46 p.m. A partial eclipse is predicted to start at 1:16 p.m. EDT.
Both Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie are accessible only by boat. There is no entrance fee for the park, but you'll need to buy a ferry ticket. Details have not yet been announced for any eclipse-viewing events at either Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie. However, a viewing event will be held at the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square in Charleston.
Tours to Fort Sumter are run by Fort Sumter Tours. On the day of the eclipse, a tour boat will leave Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant at 1 p.m. The boat takes 30 minutes to reach the fort, and visitors are given an hour to explore the fort, which means they will be able to watch the eclipse during their return across Charleston Harbor.
Other national trails
The total solar eclipse will also be visible from the following national trails:
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
- Oregon National Historic Trail
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
- California National Historic Trail
- Pony Express National Historic Trail
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
Enjoy totality!
Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
