Denver, CO – Skywatchers across the Rocky Mountain region will be among the better-positioned Americans to watch the most dramatic eclipse of 2026, with higher elevation and typically clearer skies giving the region a major advantage.
According to astronomical forecasts, four eclipses will occur in 2026, including two solar and two lunar eclipses. For residents of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and parts of Montana and New Mexico, the standout event is the March total lunar eclipse, expected to deliver strong, extended viewing.
🌕 March 3, 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Strong Viewing in the Rockies)
The headline sky event of 2026 will be a total lunar eclipse, and the Rockies sit within a strong viewing zone, just west of the nation’s absolute peak.
According to eclipse timing data, the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow during the late-night to early-morning hours Tuesday, March 3. Viewers in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Cheyenne, Casper, Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and Jackson are expected to see all phases of the eclipse, including a vivid deep red “Blood Moon.”
Thanks to elevation, the Moon will remain high in the sky during peak totality across much of the Rockies, allowing for longer viewing windows and excellent photography conditions.
👉 Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special glasses.
🌞 August 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse (Partial in the Rockies)
A major total solar eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain later in the year. Across the Rockies, the event will appear only as a partial solar eclipse.
During the mid-to-late morning hours, the Sun will look slightly obscured across Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. Certified solar eclipse glasses are required for safe viewing.
🌕 August 27–28, 2026 — Partial Lunar Eclipse
A second lunar eclipse later in the summer will also be visible across the Rocky Mountain region, though only subtle shadowing of the Moon is expected.
🧭 Rockies Eclipse Takeaway
- ⭐ Best local event: March 3 total lunar eclipse
- 👀 Viewing quality: Excellent — near-prime, aided by elevation
- ☀️ Solar eclipse: Partial only
