2026 Minnesota State Fair Transportation Impacts

The Minnesota State Fair is August 27 – September 7. Traffic near campus will significantly increase and visitor parking will be limited.

Parking: St. Paul Campus

St. Paul contract holders

Use your contract as normal. Campus access points will be closed throughout the day — use Carter Ave. and Cleveland Ave. as your primary access point (view map).

Minneapolis contract holders

Contract holders will not have reciprocal parking in St. Paul during the fair. Use park and ride from Huntington Bank Stadium to get to the State Fair. Use the Campus Connector to get to the St. Paul campus for business needs.

Non-contract holders and University visitors

If you are parking while on University business, show your U Card or other documentation of University business (e.g. email, letter, appointment confirmation) to the attendant at Lot 101 or Gortner Avenue Ramp for a $7 rate.

State Fair parking

State Fair parking on campus is restricted before 4 p.m. on weekdays. After 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, Gortner Avenue Ramp, Lot 101 and Lot 104 will be available for $30 at entry.

Parking: Minneapolis Campus

The following lots are reserved for fair-goers to use all day (except Thursday, Sept. 3 due to a Gopher football game): Maroon, 37, Ski-U-Mah, Minnesota and Victory. If you have a parking contract for one of these locations, watch your email today for alternative parking instructions. Evening (after 4 p.m.) and weekend/Labor Day (all day) fair-goers can also park in the 4th Street Ramp, Gateway Lot, Gold Lot and Lot 58.

View a map of on-campus State Fair park and ride lots.

Transit

  • The Campus Connector/121 will be on detour starting Monday, Aug. 24. The stop at Commonwealth and the Transitway will be closed. Riders are directed to Como and Cleveland. View route changes on our rider alerts webpage.
  • The St. Paul Circulator/124 will not run during the fair.
  • The East Bank Circulator/120 will be back in service beginning Aug. 27.
  • Metro Transit routes that are affected will be listed on Metro Transit’s Rider Alerts page.

State Fair gates

For access and general information about the fair, visit the Minnesota State Fair website.

St. Paul faculty, staff and departments

Certain entry points on the St. Paul campus will be restricted to those with a University business need. Needed proof will include a U Card or other documentation of University business (e.g. email, letter, appointment confirmation). Information on these impacts was sent to St. Paul departmental contacts earlier today.

Gopher football

On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Gophers will play at Huntington Bank Stadium. The on-campus State Fair park and ride locations will be closed. Tailgating for football fans opens at 2 p.m. With the additional fan traffic, there will be increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.

Contact us

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.