Here's What You Can Actually Still Find On Airbnb In Carbondale For Monday's Eclipse
By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 18, 2017 9:55PM
Solar Eclipse, photo via Getty Images
Insider tip, there's this pretty big astronomical event happening on Monday. We haven't seen anything similar in almost 100 years; so many people are excited that it could prompt the worst traffic jam in U.S. history; and Bonnie Tyler is going to sing for it!
We speak of course of Great American Eclipse fever, and if you too are afflicted, you also know that the small college town of Carbondale in downstate Illinois is the "crossroads" of the hyper-rare, day-for-night spectacle—the spot where totality phase will be longer than anywhere else in the country. As you've no doubt heard, Airbnbs rentals there, and at other path-of-totality hotspots, have correspondingly been gobbled up and rates have shot, well, sky-high for the time around Aug. 21.
This late in the game, we were curious to see what exactly remained in terms of quick-turnaround homeshare options in Carbondale—and what they might set you back. Turns out, the stock still exists, even if it is tiny in scope and pretty exorbitant. Depending on how far you're willing to extend the map out, there are about 16 rentals still available for an August 21 - 22 stay for one. Here's some of that last-last-minute selection.
A Patch of Land
We've heard stories of folks putting tiny parcels of their backyard for rent along the path of totality. Sorry to say, the campout option at the Kasky's Campsite listing on Airbnb sounds a little less private: "50 camp sites available in rural northeast Carbondale. Short distance from eclipse activities but quiet unobstructed view of the eclipse from site. Shared bathrooms and handwashing available... Firewood provided." Always a good sign when the amenities include "handwashing" and "firewood." That'll cost you $150. Here's a bit of the only photo accompanying the listing (remember this is about the eclipse, not fancy comfort).
The Functional Entire Apartment
At the other end of the spectrum, we're seeing houses and apartments going in full. ASA's Cozy Place puts up an entire three-bed, three-bathroom spot near SIUC. It'll set you back $3000 per night. But you can the pool! And the gym! And the lounge! Looks like a perfectly workable college-town pad. We're starting to think spur-of-the-moment road trip already.
The Full House
The Ultimate Carbondale Eclipse Home renter is also going the all-or-nothing route, for an easy $5,000 per night. A block south of the university the six-bedroom full house offers "the greatest view possible for the solar eclipse, the upstairs bedroom has a roofing that you can sit on to enjoy the enjoy the extravagant view.... THE HOUSE COMES WITH SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES FOR ALL GUEST." Actually, $5000 for eclipse glasses alone might be worth it, for the kind of demand-spiked prices those are fetching.
A Room of One's Own
There is actually a small smattering of private rooms, you know the kind of thing that actually comes to mind when you think Airbnb. We found one for rent "along the main drag" for just $150 per night. It's truly nothing to look at, but it does appear to have four walls and a roof, and is in Carbondale and is not a campsite. Jackpot!
