DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas —
More than 1 million people are expected to visit Central Texas for the total solar eclipse next week. The event will be a big boost in business for small towns in the Hill Country.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for people, so they want to make the most of it.
Jacqueline Marino with Hill Country Premier Lodging said there's a reason people come to the area.
"I think that's a big part of the attraction, is how beautiful it is on its own," Marino said.
The high elevation in the area has made this destination even more popular for eclipse-watchers, bringing in a tall order for the city.
"This view is absolutely breathtaking, but I can't even imagine just how gorgeous is going to be with the, eclipse with this, like, once in a lifetime kind of experience," Marino said.
Hill Country Premier Lodging Managing Partner April Anderson said people have been asking about this weekend since the last eclipse back in 2017.
"We started getting phone calls of people trying to reserve for this eclipse in advance. I think they were trying to secure a really good deal," Anderson said.
However, tourists had to wait a little while.
"We did make them wait until about a year ago was when we started taking our first bookings, Anderson said.
The vacation home rental agency reached 100% capacity in Wimberly for the eclipse weekend and eclipse day, despite it being on a Monday.
"Monday? No! Weekends we've had capacity, but this is a pretty, pretty different for our weekday. And in the middle of the spring," Anderson said.
Hill Country Premier Lodging said it is expecting more than 100 people to check in each day for the next three days.
The business has seen a more than a 30% increase in recent bookings. On Monday, when it's all said and done, Hill Country Premier Lodging is looking at more than 300 check outs.
Just down the road in Dripping Springs, the Ranch Park campsite is getting ready to offer a different experience.
"Camping lets you really get out in the elements and and experience nature, which obviously the eclipse is a huge part of, of nature," Dripping Springs Ranch park manager Emily Nelson said.
"This is an opportunity to really be in and be grounded with the world around you," Nelson said.
Large crowds mean extra planning for these small towns.
"We've let them know that so that they can be prepared when they arrive. And then just being taking extra time, it's going to take a lot of time to get where they're going," Anderson said.
"We've sent them emails, prior to their stay to remind them to go ahead and get their groceries before they come. I don't know that our little Wimberley H-E-B is going to be able to sustain everybody, making sure they have medications on hand if the pharmacies are closed. Gas, just being prepared for cell service interruptions."
The people planning to keep their eyes to the skies are making the Hill Country economy over the moon about the boost in business.