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Hundreds of Coloradans migrate north for the Great American Eclipse

Posted at 5:04 PM, Aug 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-20 19:04:59-04

DENVER – Hundreds of Coloradans are migrating north this weekend to witness a rare astronomical event and welcoming states, including Wyoming, said they’re ready for the influx of tourists.

Among them was Margo Branscomb, who along with her two daughters, Rachael and Izzy, made the trek from Centennial to Wyoming early Saturday.

The family started driving from Colorado at around 4 a.m. loaded with four cups of coffee for the trip.

Branscomb told Denver7 they had made reservations four months ago to witness the Great American Eclipse from Sheridan, Wyo., and were very excited to finally see it all happening this weekend.

Along Wyoming highways, Denver7 found several parking and camping signs for the solar eclipse, with prices ranging from $50 to $600. 

Buses loaded with people were also seen setting up camp along some of the 98,000 square miles of land that the state of Wyoming owns.

PHOTOS: Coloradans migrate north to witness Great American Eclipse

There are still some camping spots available

Camping was still available in Wind River Country and Goshen County, according to the Wyoming Office of Tourism.

In Wind River Country, the Fremont County Fairgrounds in Riverton still had camping available for last-minute travelers. Goshen County also has “abundant campsites” for out-of-state travelers looking to view the eclipse from the Torrington Farm Festival.

Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) officials said Sunday their traffic count increased by more than 131,000 vehicles on Saturday, as compared to a five-year average for the same timeframe.

The weather forecast for the eclipse viewing area looks mostly dry, with a few showers possible in southeast Wyoming after the eclipse.

“Confidence has grown in sky cover projections, with a large party of Wyoming expected to see mostly sunny skies at the time of the eclipse."

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