Hotels in Arkansas Charging More for Solar Eclipse Weekend

After today there will be 20 days left until the Great  North American Solar Eclipse casts darkness over the central section of Arkansas.

Expect to Pay More

Hotels have been booked for months even a year before this celestial celebration. People who have waited until now to find a room may be out of luck. According to a story from KARK-TV some hotels in the state where the eclipse will occur still have a few rooms but you can be expected to pay up to 10 times more than you would normally. Most hotels will not let you stay for one night you must book multiple nights, for example in Jacksonville, Arkansas, a Little Rock suburb a hotel there is charging $593 for a room the weekend before the eclipse and a reservation fee of $52 that must be paid by this weekend.

You may be thinking, is this considered price gouging? It would if this was a national emergency but people are choosing to come to the state and pay more. See lodging in Arkansas here.

Is This Legal?

Yes, but you still have to walk a fine line, according to Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Ellmore.

I look at it this way, if people want to pay extra for a once-in-a-lifetime generational solar eclipse that's their choice, it just wouldn't be my choice. Some people have complained by saying they can't believe hotels are charging an astronomical amount of money to watch a total solar eclipse that will plunge us into darkness for a mere 4 and a half minutes or less depending on where you are in the state.

Maybe it's just the experience of being with family or with friends because after all the entirety of the eclipse lasts a lot longer before the moon clears the sun's view completely.

Someone asked the question, What happens if it's cloudy that day or raining do I get a refund on my hotel? Really!

I'm sure people will be disappointed but it will still turn dark, we just won't get the full effect of being able to see the eclipse.

Over a Million People

The Arkansas Department of Transportation expects that over a million people are coming into the state for the eclipse. Roads will be congested so drivers need to be patient, especially in work zones where there is ongoing construction. ARDOT has coordinated with other agencies and law enforcement officials to have an emergency plan in place.

The last two total solar eclipses in Arkansas occurred in 1834 and 1918.

Next Solar Eclipse

The next total solar eclipse won't happen again until March 2033 but you have to go to Alaska to see that one then on August 23, 2044, you will have to travel to Northern Canada, Montana, or South Dakota, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

That's what makes this one so special. Arkansas better enjoy this one because it may be a while until the next one. Get the complete guide to the Arkansas Solar Eclipse here. If you are planning to watch the eclipse from one of Arkansas' State Parks get more information here.