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Major Alert

State Fair Transportation Impacts

 

This is a Major Impact for St. Paul Thoroughfare, Facilities

 

Thursday, August 21, 2025–
Sunday, August 31, 2025

 

Impacts: Drivers, Transit riders, Active mobility

Details

The Minnesota State Fair is August 21 - September 1. Traffic near campus will significantly increase and visitor parking will be limited.

Parking - St. Paul

  • Contract Holders:
    • If you have a contract in Gortner Ave Ramp, Lot 101, or other St. Paul lots, use your contract as normal.
    • Contract holders from other facilities do NOT have reciprocal parking in St. Paul during the fair. Use park-n-ride from Huntington Bank Stadium to get to the State Fair. Use the Campus Connector to get to St. Paul for business needs.
  • Non-Contract Holders:
    • If you are parking while on University business, show your U Card 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 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
    • After 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, Gortner Avenue Ramp and Lot 101 will be available for $30 at entry.

Parking - Minneapolis

  • Stadium Lots: The following lots are reserved for fair-goers to use all day (except Thursday, August 28 due to the football game): Maroon, 37, Ski-U-Mah, Minnesota, and Victory. If you have a parking contract for one of these locations, watch your email next week 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-n-ride lots.

Transit

State Fair Gates

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

St. Paul Faculty, Staff, and Departments

View University guest parking information during the State Fair.

Gopher Football

On Thursday, August 28, the Gophers will play at Huntington Bank Stadium. The on-campus State Fair park-n-ride locations will be closed. Tailgating for football fans opens at 2:00 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 2025 Minnesota State Fair.

Transit impacts

Route Impacts
121

The 121 will detour using Energy Park Drive and Raymond Avenue. The Commonwealth and Transitway stop will close. You can catch the bus at Cleveland Avenue north of Como Avenue.
124

The St. Paul Circulator/124 will not run during the fair, August 21–September 1.