Any other year, August 21 would be just another day, but this year a once-in-a-lifetime event falls on the date. A total solar eclipse will cross the continental U.S., and Idaho is one of the best places to view it. Four months out, lodgings for visitors are scarce.
With the path of totality cutting directly through the Gem State, eclipse enthusiasts from around the world will descend on Idaho.
The Idaho Department of Commerce says they're unable to gauge for certain how many people are coming to the state for the celestial event, but looking at data from previous eclipses, they say Idaho should brace for an influx of visitors ranging anywhere from 10,000 to 300,000.
According to KTVB, some international tour groups booked hotels two years ago. The first hotel booking in Stanley for the eclipse was close to a decade ago.
Cities across the state are marking the third Monday in August. Weiser is having a 5-day long eclipse festival, and the Tamarack Resort is offering packages to take a ski lift to the top of a mountain to watch the event.
For more information on how to safely view this summer's eclipse, resources are available at: nationaleclipse.com.
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