"Eclipse Crossroads of America"
Coveted 2024 Eclipse Viewing at the Crossroads of the 2017 and 2024 Solar Eclipses.
April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse spanning over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Southern Illinois is now known as the Eclipse Crossroads. The path of the 2024 eclipse will cross the path of the 2017 eclipse.
Makanda/Carbondale is on the center-line of the path of totality for the 2024 Eclipse. We are 295 Panther's Den Road, Makanda, Illinois. Pretty Awesome!
We will experience four minutes and nine seconds of totality, nearly double what was seen in 2017, and a mere 19 seconds short of the eclipse maximum in the U.S. This is where the two eclipse paths form an intersection.
We cannot predict if it will be cloudy! For 2017 the main celebrations were held at the Carbondale Arena. Thousands of people were there, including NASA and other scientists from around the world. Unfortunately, the clouds blocked totality until the last few seconds. However for those in our area the clouds parted and we did not miss a second. For our guests, revelers and scientists at Blue Sky Vineyard, and people who just pulled over on the side of the road, it was surreal.
Below are just a few images from our 2017 eclipse guest Michael Vaughn!
Below is a recent image from one of our guests taken from The Cove Cabin. He used time lapse photography. There is no light pollution as far out in the country as we are.
Update: Our Eclipse Packages have all re-opened!
The Eclipse stay is ready to book!
The path of the 2024 eclipse will cross the path of the 2017 eclipse. Makanda/Carbondale is again on the center-line of the path of totality for the 2024 Eclipse. Pretty Awesome!
Our location will experience four minutes and nine seconds of totality, nearly double what was seen in 2017, and a mere 19 seconds short of the eclipse maximum in the U.S. This is where the two eclipse paths form an intersection. Anticipation is building for this event and is being featured in the news more and more. Read this recent article from CNN.
Our cabins are at a fairly high elevation. The French Creole Cabin sits at the highest point on the property. We were at The Creole Cabin in 2017 and during the eclipse, a 360 degree sunset was visible. Wow! We were joined by experienced eclipse scientists from Germany who had requested to be at our site. Thankfully, we were also joined by an interpreter!
Please contact us with any questions.
For those that are able to reserve the dates, it will be an unforgettable experience, putting you in the heart of the celebrations, already getting started, leading up to the to the ultimate show, four minutes and nine seconds of totality. Having been through the last eclipse, it is a very emotional experience.
Totality lasts a few minutes, but the phases of a total solar eclipse last hours.
Sign up to our mailing list!
The 2024 Eclipse Package is very close to what we did in 2017. We want to be upfront that it will not be our normal rates because of the unique occasion, to help defray our costs,and to provide a donation for one of the local animal shelters.
This is a rare opportunity to witness totality for over four minutes, set in a luxury cabin in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest, walking distance to Blue Sky Vineyard, who will be having their own celebration.
We have about four spay/neuter programs we are considering to receive a donation.
- St. Francis CARE Animal Shelter
- Wright-way Animal Rescue Admission and Medical Services Campus
- Union County Humane Society
- Humane Society of Southern Illinois
Give us a call if you have any questions about the package or staying with us another time!
2024 Eclipse Package
Three Packages are currently available:
- Package 1 - The Cove Cabin
- Package 2 - The French Creole Cabin
- Package 3 - The Hollow Cabin
- 4-night stay; Check-in April 4th and check-out on April 9th. $995 per night.
- $995 per night | plus 11% occupancy tax
- Up to four guests per cabin to share the experience. Just the two of you, three adults and a child. or two adults and two children. It would not be comfortable for four adults*
- Complimentary bottle of Blue Sky Eclipse Wine
- Eclipse viewing glasses
- Complimentary breakfast basket
- Pets allowed at The French Creole Cabin and The Cove Cabin only.
- If you would like to extend your stay, additional days may be reserved at our regular nightly rate.
$500 non-refundable deposit to hold the dates, remaining balance to be paid by check and received within ten days. If we have not received payment, dates will be made available to others on a list.
Refund for cancellation will only be considered if we are able to rebook the stay at the original package price. 10% cancellation fee will apply.
*Guests are responsible for the additional 5% Union County Occupancy Tax and 5.64% State Occupancy Tax
2024 Eclipse Package
Three Packages are currently available:
- Package 1 - The Cove Cabin
- Package 2 - The French Creole Cabin
- Package 3 - The Hollow Cabin
- 4-night stay; Check-in April 4th and check-out on April 9th. $995 per night.
- $995 per night | plus 11% occupancy tax
- Up to four guests per cabin to share the experience. Just the two of you, three adults and a child. or two adults and two children. It would not be comfortable for four adults*
- Complimentary bottle of Blue Sky Eclipse Wine
- Eclipse viewing glasses
- Complimentary breakfast basket
- Pets allowed at The French Creole Cabin and The Cove Cabin only.
$500 non-refundable deposit to hold the dates, remaining balance to be paid by check and received within ten days. If we have not received payment, dates will be made available to others on a list.
Refund for cancellation will only be considered if we are able to rebook the stay at the original package price. 10% cancellation fee will apply.
*Guests are responsible for the additional 5% Union County Occupancy Tax and 5.64% State Occupancy Tax
*The additional two guests may be two children or one adult. Please remember there is one king size bed in each cabin. You are welcome to bring an air mattress. The French Creole Cabin has two bathrooms which would come in handy if there are more than two guests.
The Total Solar Eclipse 2017; Point of Longest Duration, Makanda was an amazing event!
NASA put the pin for Greatest Duration by our property and Blue Sky Vineyard.
Rocky Comfort Cabins donated 20% of each package net amount to the following local charities.
Habitat for Humanity - Jackson Union County Free Again Wildlife RescueThe point of Greatest Duration happened in the solar corner of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Not only is each of our cabins partially powered by Photovoltaic technology, but Blue Sky Vineyard just finished having a full solar array put up at its winery. What a great way to promote solar energy.
The Solar Eclipse was a spectacular event and a much needed ethereal distraction for this country. This somewhat brief, magnificent experience allowed all of us fortunate enough to see it in its totality to step outside of ourselves and remember that indeed, there are things much bigger than ourselves and to live in the moment, enveloped in a celestial peace.
Read our Blog on the eclipse and check out other great links with more info on the eclipse. Eclipse 2017 | Astronomy Magazine
Rocky Comfort Cabins will deliver the 20% portion of the eclipse stay the week after the eclipse.
"Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Jackson - Union County Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. Jackson, Union County Habitat is a 100% Volunteer organization and is completely self-funded."
Find out more about Jackson Union County Habitat for Humanity
Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation
"Free Again, Inc. began in 1988 by Beverly Shofstall, while working as a veterinary technician at Central Hospital for Animals in Herrin. The facility has since grown and now takes in over 450 animals annually. We are Southern Illinois's largest and only all species facility. A dedicated staff of volunteers provides nursing and hospital care to distressed wildlife.
The purposes of Free Again are:
- to rehabilitate orphaned and injured wildlife for return to their natural environment
- to study the behavior and diseases of wildlife
- to educate the public on the importance of all wildlife in our environment.
Some animals, primarily non-releasable birds of prey, are kept for educational programs in order for Free Again to continue educating children and adults around the region."
Click on the images then read more about Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation
Rocky Comfort Cabins will deliver a portion of the eclipse stay the week after the eclipse.
- Recuperating bald eagles
- Orphaned baby squirrels
- Rescued fawns
Instinct tells fawns to lay low and still. It is best to leave it be and walk away. Mom is nearby.
- Beautiful Barred Owl
- River Otter
