Can you park for free at the NC State Fair? Here’s what to know about lots & shuttles
Like many large-scale events, parking for the NC State Fair can be a nuisance, but there are some tips to make the process easier.
You can save some money and park for free in a few designated parking lots. The trade-off is your car won’t be right outside the entrance gate, so it’ll take a bit of time on foot (or by shuttle bus) to get to the fairgrounds, but if you plan ahead, it’ll save you some money.
Here’s everything to know about free parking and shuttles at this year’s fair.
Can I park for free at the NC State Fair?
Yes. There are a number of parking lots that let you park for free, and some have a shuttle that will take you to the fairgrounds, so you won’t have to walk.
Here are the free parking lots:
Dogwood Lot
Cardinal Lot
Carter-Finley Stadium
Lenovo Center
Note: There may be exceptions if events are scheduled at Carter-Finley (no NC State home football games are on the schedule) or Lenovo Center (there are concerts scheduled for Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26).
There are also free off-site parking lots with a free shuttle service to the fairgrounds:
Park at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off will be across from Gate 8 on Trinity Road.
Park off Hwy 54/Chapel Hill Road just past I-40 Exit 290. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off will be across from Gate 7 on Youth Center Drive.
Can I take free shuttles to the NC State Fair?
Yes. The fair will offer several park-and-ride shuttle options from off-site parking lots to entry gates at the fair.
Shuttles will be offered to and from these lots, which will also have accessible shuttles available.
Dogwood Lot: The shuttle drops visitors off at Gate 8 of the fair. The address is 4501 Reedy Creek Rd. in Raleigh.
Cardinal Lot: The shuttle drops visitors off at Gate 7 of the fair. The address is 5766 Chapel Hill Road Rd. in Raleigh.
Both lot hours are from 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close each day. (Hours slightly differ on Thursday, Oct. 17.)
Shuttles will not be offered at Carter-Finley Stadium or the Lenovo Center. Remember, there may be exceptions to daily free parking at these lots if there are events scheduled at these two sporting arenas.
Can I pay for parking to closer to the fairgrounds?
Yes. There are some privately operated options near the fairgrounds that charge for parking.
During the fair, residents near the fairgrounds often convert parts of their private property into small parking lots. These lots provide additional parking options, but you will have to pay.
Can I take a GoRaleigh bus to the state fair?
Yes. GoRaleigh shuttles will carry passengers to the state fairgrounds from the Triangle Town Center Shopping Mall, 5959 Triangle Town Blvd. in Raleigh, near the Dillard’s parking lot. The shuttles will run every 30 minutes daily from 8:30 a.m until the fair closes.
Here are the prices for the shuttle:
Round trip: $5
One way: $4
Seniors 65 and older and passengers with disabilities: $2.50 round trip or $2 one way
Children under 40 inches tall: Free
You can pay with cash or by using the UMO app. The GoPass is not valid on State Fair routes.
Advanced sale passes are available through the UMO App or in-person and can be purchased at the GoRaleigh operations facility, 4104 Poole Rd. in Raleigh, or at GoRaleigh Station in downtown Raleigh.
Will Amtrak drop me off at the fairgrounds?
Yes. Starting Friday, Oct. 18, NC By Train will make multiple stops at the state fairgrounds everyday for guests departing from Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham and Cary.
Here’s a breakdown of the four special routes for getting to and from the fair:
Take Carolinian train 80 from Charlotte at 6:45 a.m. to get to fairgrounds at 9:53 a.m.
Take Piedmont train 72 from Charlotte at 10:25 a.m. to get to fairgrounds at 1:37 p.m.
Take Piedmont train 77 from the fairgrounds at 3:33 p.m. to get to Charlotte at 6:33 p.m.
Take Carolinian train 79 from the fairgrounds at 5:48 p.m. to get to Charlotte at 9:08 p.m.
