Jackson Center camping: Eclipse 2024 ???

[LNBright]

In early April of 2024, there'll be a total solar eclipse crossing the US, from Texas to Maine. Cities like Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Niagara, you could sit home and watch it. But for those of us further away, we'll have to travel a bit. For myself, I'm intending on finding a campsite along the path, get there a day or two ahead, watch it, then wait for traffic to clear out and head home the next day.


As much as I might like to go to Texas to see it (drier air, less chance of cloud cover, etc.), the wife's schedule won't allow her the extra travel time, so I've been looking along the path where it's closest to home, somewhere in the vicinity of the IN-OH border, north of Cincinnati. I've been looking for a campground along the centerline, found several, but almost all have replied that they're going to still be winterized in early April, suggesting I plan to come later in the month (eh... don't think I can reschedule an eclipse now, lol... ).

But it just occurred to me, Jackson Center is not far off the center-line of the path, it might be a good place to be.

Not having been to Jackson Center myself... I'm aware that there's a spot where you can camp if you're having your camper worked on, but my understanding is that it's not large. Are there other campgrounds around there? Is an eclipse rally at JC something that might be possible? Is there a place where 'streamers could park for a couple of days there?

Just spitballin' at this point...

[damonbeals]

Many of the local WBCCI clubs are planning eclipse events, I know our unit in Central Indiana have plans in the works.


But to answer you question, you can camp at the Airstream Service Center, if you are not getting service done or you don't buy a bunch of stuff at the store, they only charge $10 a night, and it is full hookup. But I would just keep an eye on the Blue Beret and suggest you join up with one of the local events.


Damon
#4827

[Bruce Ohio]

Indian Lake State Park campground is close by. It’s a nice State Park.

[Hittenstiehl]

We'll be going to Texas with an AZ rally group. Jackson Center will be a direct path.

[field & stream]

With about thirty others we camped in a wheat field near Casper WY in August 2017 for the most recent US total solar eclipse. It was an incredibly wonderful experience and I encourage folks to make an effort to see one.

Personally, I would invest extra effort to travel to a location with better chances of clear skies…….. be a real shame to try to see it and fail.

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by field & stream

With about thirty others we camped in a wheat field near Casper WY in August 2017 for the most recent US total solar eclipse. It was an incredibly wonderful experience and I encourage folks to make an effort to see one.

Personally, I would invest extra effort to travel to a location with better chances of clear skies…….. be a real shame to try to see it and fail.

We had a great time with the 2017 one, we were on the Cherohala Skyway, about 1500 ft from the centerline.


I had been planning to head for Texas, had been searching out campgrounds along the centerline there. But in broaching the subject with the wife a few months ago, talking about planning how long it’d take to get out there, how long back afterwards…. That’s when she made it clear, as a teacher, she couldn’t be away that long. I can take the time off from work, but, she’s only going to be able to get a day or two off…. We can get to Indiana or Ohio quickly, then back home the day after…. But Texas, there’s just too many days required in travel for a schoolteacher to be able to get there and back….

Yes, I realize, it could be a wash for us, but… it is what it is…. Can’t control the weather…

[Boxite]

One of the advantages of visiting Texas at that time will be the Texas Wildflower season at that t ime.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by LNBright

We had a great time with the 2017 one, we were on the Cherohala Skyway, about 1500 ft from the centerline.


I had been planning to head for Texas, had been searching out campgrounds along the centerline there. But in broaching the subject with the wife a few months ago, talking about planning how long it’d take to get out there, how long back afterwards…. That’s when she made it clear, as a teacher, she couldn’t be away that long. I can take the time off from work, but, she’s only going to be able to get a day or two off…. We can get to Indiana or Ohio quickly, then back home the day after…. But Texas, there’s just too many days required in travel for a schoolteacher to be able to get there and back….

Yes, I realize, it could be a wash for us, but… it is what it is…. Can’t control the weather…

I get it: starting in northern Colorado that is our situation too, and we will skip the 2024 eclipse for that reason. We are planning for the 2023 eclipse which cuts the SW corner of the state, but mid-October weather is a big risk factor on that one.

Still, I encourage folks to try to experience one…….

[banderabob]

Presuming someone at Airstream reads this, it’s a great opportunity to have a huge boondocking rally out in their field/s. Me? I’m in south central Texas!

[Hittenstiehl]

After the last large Eclipse someone here had posted that Jackson Center would be prime viewing opportunity for the 2024 Eclipse. I sent Airstream a email reminding them of this.

[n2916s]

Certainly can’t speak for 2024 but the last time I was at the Mothership there wasn’t a whole lot of any kind of parking — they had partially finished trailers everywhere, even in town…

[jkingseed]

My wife and I live the next town over from Jackson Center. We were strongly considering putting a mostly boon docking rally together for this event at our rural property. Weather, temps and ground conditions, here in early April was a concern.
From recent talks that I have had with the to be President of Region 4 it sounds that Region 4 is in the planning stages of holding an eclipse event in the mid-west Ohio area. Due to this, we have decided not to host a rally.
Yes, Jackson Center is in the bullseye for the eclipse. I have never seen the terra port close to full except when there is an event like Alumapalooza. You could take a chance and try and stay there for the eclipse, but many others may have the same idea due to the eclipse.

[LNBright]

You're touching on my concern: I don't want to not have a place to go. I mean, it may be, the day before we leave, and we're looking at the snowstorm bearing down out of the midwest, and we stay put instead. But I'm hoping to have a place that I know that, with the weather looking fair enough, that we know we'll have a place to pull in, park, and hang out a few days. I don't want to show up someplace thinking "there'll be room", to find it running over and no place to go. An Eclipsepalooza would be cool.

[Escape_Plan]

Originally Posted by jkingseed

You could take a chance and try and stay there for the eclipse, but many others may have the same idea due to the eclipse.

If I showed up at JC for scheduled maintenance and there were no spots left in the TerraPort because of eclipse watchers, I'd be less than amused. I was at JC first week of April this year for scheduled maintenance and 1 1/2 of the three loops were filled with trailers (and no owners) for long-term maintenance issues. One spot had a truck parked in it as the trailer was in the barn and the owner flew back to Florida until the maintenance was complete. His truck was in that spot for two weeks. How do I know? I met the owner when he couldn't get his truck started and he told me he left it there two weeks earlier.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I would not recommend JC for night sky viewing. The town and the AS plant light things up pretty bright all night long. Look for someplace a bit more remote .....

Bob

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I would not recommend JC for night sky viewing. The town and the AS plant light things up pretty bright all night long. Look for someplace a bit more remote .....

Bob

Funny, because I consider uncle_bob to be the most reliable voice on these forums, but as a public service I feel the need to respectfully point out that solar eclipses do not happen at night!

[Hittenstiehl]

He's going to chuckle for sure [emoji4]

[LNBright]

Rotfl!!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Funny, because I consider uncle_bob to be the most reliable voice on these forums, but as a public service I feel the need to respectfully point out that solar eclipses do not happen at night!

Hi

Sorry, I was just reading up an email trying to get folks out for a total lunar eclipse ....

Bob

[coltnkat]

Originally Posted by LNBright

But it just occurred to me, Jackson Center is not far off the center-line of the path, it might be a good place to be.

Not having been to Jackson Center myself... I'm aware that there's a spot where you can camp if you're having your camper worked on, but my understanding is that it's not large.

Just spitballin' at this point...

For a brand dedicated to the outdoor life and adventure, the so called terraport in Jackson Center is truly an embarrassment. If you've never been, I wouldn't plan on staying there unless it's to get work done.

I've been fulltime for over 3 years now and the best thing I can say about the terraport is that it's free. And, as other commenters have posted, it would be pretty obnoxious if it was full of visitors when you were needing to get work done.

As for the town of Jackson Center, there's a stop light. One. And a lot of miles between there and the nearest towns of Sidney and Wapakoneta (both of which are charming)--can't speak to the RVing opportunities there though.