If you haven’t booked a hotel room for the total solar eclipse coming to Vermont on Monday, you might be a little bit behind the times. Vermont hotels have been getting reservations for it since 2017, when a partial eclipse inspired people to start planning ahead, said Kim Donahue, president of the Vermont Lodging Association.
A total solar eclipse — when the moon completely covers the sun, causing the entire sky to darken — is a rare event, so it’s no surprise that it’s drawing interest from out-of-staters.
Vermont officials are expecting tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of visitors to the state for the eclipse, depending on the weather forecast.
Almost all of the lodging properties in the path of totality have between 98% and 99% occupancy for the eclipse, Donahue said, although there may be some rooms opening up “here and there.”
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Short-term rentals, like Airbnb properties, also are seeing high demand, according to Julie Marks, director of the Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance. Her organization estimates that short-term rentals in counties in the path of totality have roughly 80% occupancy, compared with 50% on average for the day in previous years.
Marks said she’s also noticed examples of people renting out their homes or apartments solely for the eclipse, which is not included in the data.
A handful of visitors have opted to camp, despite the chilly early spring weather. Almost 30 people booked off-season campsites at state parks, according to Nate McKeen, director of Vermont State Parks. Some state parks will be open for day use during the eclipse.
But Donahue said that the state’s hotels, inns, lodges and other accommodations are no stranger to busy days.
“We are at 100% occupancy, most of us, for all of the foliage season, and some of us the weeks preceding foliage as well,” she said. “So we’re not worried about us being taxed. We know how to do this.”
Instead, the main challenge for hotel owners is preparing their guests for the hurdles they could face from weather, traffic and crowds. Donahue was quick to recommend that visitors sign up for text notifications from the state and check the GPS app WAZE for traffic updates.
Donahue is also the owner and general manager of the Inn at Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield. She said the inn is planning to provide extra meals and to-go food for guests to grab on their way out to their eclipse planning spot. They’ll even have grab-and-go food available on Monday night for hungry guests returning from parties or long traffic jams.
People departing for their viewing spot will most likely be staggered, she said, but “when totality ends, everyone is going to try to get back to where they came from or wherever it is they want to go,” all at once, leading to the potential for chaos.
The inn has also lined up recommendations for weekend guests looking for things to do during what is normally an off season for outdoor recreation. Donahue said sugaring and spring skiing were at the top of the list.
A handful of accommodation sites are hosting eclipse viewing parties and other events. Trapp Family Lodge, for example, is hosting an all-day event with DJs, live music and food.
“We think it’s going to be a fantastic, celebratory time,” Donahue said.
