Advanced Scouting: Parking situation in State College
Parking in State College: Advanced Scouting
Hey everyone, our parking plan just fell apart in State College and we have to call an audible. Anyone have info to share about the parking situation around campus? We’re coming from the west and we’ll be there plenty early. Looks like the university has 2 pay lots with first come first serve availability. I’m guessing those have potential but is it like most college towns where kids and businesses are selling spots around the area a s relatively easy to get? If I was going to a home game I typically wouldn’t count on parking in a university owned lot but don’t know if things are very different in State College on game day.
There are a small handful of pass options on the secondary market but they’re absurdly expensive and no way worth it even for peace of mind in advance.
Any notes you can provide from past experience would be very helpful.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
This probably doesn't apply. A good friend of mine's children went to Penn State. They would have a pretty decent sized group head down in an RV for a weekend each season. The section they used was adjacent to Lot 39.
The PSU RV parking seems to be in "even more demand" than it is in Ann Arbor. Though, the festivities in the RV section really seemed like a lot of fun in good weather.
About car parking - I can't provide any insight.
Enjoy... Go Blue!
November 9th, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
I’ve overnight RV’d there about a half dozen times. It’s a great experience. Unfortunately a few years ago they moved the primary overnight lot away from the stadium so you now have to take a shuttle. Still tons of fun, but do miss the walk to the stadium.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
+ 1 for title
November 9th, 2023 at 5:13 PM ^
Please tell me you didn't do it in person.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^
Cell phone video or it didn't happen.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:50 PM ^
Thanks, felt good as it left my hand
November 9th, 2023 at 5:23 PM ^
I have been there 3 times. There are multiple HUGE lots around the stadium which are basically in wide open fields. Unless you don’t want to park near the stadium for some reason these lots are very large and you’ll easily get a space.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:32 PM ^
The wide open fields are cow pastures except on game day. Watch your step.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
Wow just checked Google maps and there is a crapton of parking around the stadium. One of the benefits of going to college in cow country, i suppose. Good thing there isn't rain in the forecast.
That said, their ice cream is supposed to be outstanding.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:53 PM ^
It is and the creamery is the place to be on game day. Long lines and great people watching. Not too far from the stadium. For a noon start it may be an after game pit stop. For the night game we went in the afternoon.
November 10th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^
And if you plan ahead and bring a cooler, you can bring ice cream home with you. They sell dry ice and will ask you how many hours drive you have--a pound of dry ice per hour.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:52 PM ^
Were you able to pay to park there? Most of the stuff near the stadium is parking permit only for season ticket holders and are going for up to $1000 on the secondary. They only have two small lots designated as pay on day of lots.
November 9th, 2023 at 6:10 PM ^
Yes, kinda like the golf course in Ann Arbor. You roll in and they’ll guide you where to park. I don’t remember the exact cost but I don’t remember feeling like I got bent over either.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
What time do the lots open?
November 9th, 2023 at 5:53 PM ^
7am according to their website
November 9th, 2023 at 5:31 PM ^
If you're there early enough (I don't know what "early enough" even means on a game day) and can get a spot, the East Parking Deck, on Bigler, is about a 15 minute walk at most from the stadium.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:55 PM ^
A few people have mentioned some parking garages. I didn’t really have a sense for if they’d be legitimate options but it sounds like they are. Again, just thinking to whether I would try to park in a parking deck in AA on GameDay, probably not but sounds like it’s a good option here.
November 9th, 2023 at 6:06 PM ^
The downtown garage(s) would be comparable, distance-wise, to parking in a lot in downtown Ann Arbor. The East Deck I mentioned is on campus, and a pretty easy walk to the stadium. I have no idea what that garage, or any of the garages, are like on a gameday, though.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:37 PM ^
When I went there four years ago we found a free spot on a residential street to the east of the downtown area. It was a night game and we got there between noon and 1:00 and there were not a plethora of open spaces but we only needed one.
Unlike Ann Arbor the homeowners do not have cars parking on their lawns. I presume it is not allowed.
There are lots and garages downtown and on campus but I don't know when the fill up and I don't remember what they charge.
There are also remote parking options with shuttles.
Traffic in State College sucks on game day.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:54 PM ^
Solid intel, very helpful thanks.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:43 PM ^
we have to call an audible.
Based on my understanding of this whole "competitive advantage" discussion, audibles do not exist. Once you call a play, you are at your opponent's mercy. If you made a plan, you'll just have to get outparked and accept walking 23-45 feet farther than you intended.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:52 PM ^
Expect to walk about 418 yards
November 9th, 2023 at 5:52 PM ^
We probably need new intro language to this and future posts given present circumstances.
November 9th, 2023 at 5:57 PM ^
Better Call Stalions
November 9th, 2023 at 6:08 PM ^
Lots of parking in fields around the stadium.
November 9th, 2023 at 6:21 PM ^
Yes, I remember parking in a big grass field and it didn't seem there were any shortage of spots.
November 9th, 2023 at 6:36 PM ^
Advance scout the refs please. Don't forget to film it. You could just use your phone as all the kids do.
November 9th, 2023 at 6:42 PM ^
We parked in a multi level parking garage in 2019. Then when trying to leave a car broke down and no one moved for 2 hours. Maybe stay away from those if possible!
November 9th, 2023 at 7:18 PM ^
I have a parking pass to sell if anyone is interested. Me and my two friends are going to the game. They both bought passes without communicating first, so we only need one obviously. They were very expensive. We are keeping the $200 dollar plus one. Because its supposed to be closer to the stadium. We are looking for $75 for the other. It cost $150 originally. Not sure where it's at in relation to the stadium. Hopefully it's close for what we paid for it. Can always meet up if interested. Thanks
November 9th, 2023 at 7:42 PM ^
Going to the game with a few friends and actually looking for a parking pass. Will you be around the night before?
November 9th, 2023 at 8:23 PM ^
Just got ahold of my friend with the pass. He literally just sold it five minutes ago. Sorry about that!
November 9th, 2023 at 8:43 PM ^
No worries. Enjoy the game
November 9th, 2023 at 9:15 PM ^
I called PSU's customer service office the other day and they said you can buy a spot in lot 36 on gameday starting at 7am and leave the car there until noon the next day at the latest.