Heading to MN State Fair? Parking May Have Gotten a Bit Easier

The Great Minnesota get-together is coming up in just a few weeks.  Although I do love the State Fair, it also marks the unofficial end of summer.  It runs the last 12 days of August/September leading up to Labor Day.  Then it's like 3 weeks of Fall and then we get Winter.

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That's not quite accurate, especially if you consider last year, but sometimes that is what it feels like.

I do love to go to the state fair, I understand it's not for everyone, I think it's fun, and it's a great place to sit and people watch.  We don't go every year, but when we do, parking is always an issue to consider.  Do you go super early and try to get parking around the fairgrounds?  I believe there are about 5000 spots on the fairgrounds, but those fill up quickly.  Or, do you chance it and drive around for what can feel like hours trying to find free parking on the street, or just pay someone $20 to park in their yard?  And to those people who live around the fairgrounds, if they don't mind your lawn getting wrecked for those 12 days, they probably make bank.  Good gig if you can get it.

There is also another option, which is what we usually do... park in another parking lot a few blocks...sometimes miles... away from the fairgrounds and hop the shuttle in to the fair.  That is usually the option that we go with.  Now, they are adding even more of those "express shuttles" to help ease the parking issue.  Because let's be honest, that can be the biggest nightmare of going to the fair.

This year, and it's good for people in St. Cloud, Metro Transit has added park and ride options to the fair from Maple Grove.  The fee is only $5 and you can purchase those passes in advance through Metro Transit's app and website. Or, you can do the cash option of $6 on site.  Still cheap.  There is a catch for this Maple Grove option, however, the park and ride option will only be availabe on weekends and Labor Day.  ALL other park and ride lots will run all 12 days of the fair.

You can get the map and all express bus routes available through the State Fair website right here.  

I think this option is so much less stressful than trying to find parking around the fairgounds.  BUT, if you do find a parking spot closer, it could be free on the street and much more convenient.  Possibly.