Parking / Park & Ride

Getting to the Fair is easy. You can pay to park in the Fair's lots, park for free and use a State Fair Park & Ride shuttle option or arrive via motor coach. Once you arrive, "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair!

Make the most of your visit August 13–23 by checking all the latest parking information on this page.

Vehicle Parking

Parking is available in the A, B and C Lots off University Avenue for $10. Fairgoers can take the Blue Line Parking Shuttle inside the A, B and C parking lots for FREE from designated stops to the admission gates.

Accessible parking spaces in Lots A, B and C on the Iowa State Fairgrounds are on a first come, first served basis. Please note that these lots often fill up early each day, and there is no guarantee that space will be available. Proper decals or license plates must be displayed.

To enter Lot A, use Gate 2A (East 33rd Street and East University Avenue).

To enter Lots B and C, use Gate 2B (East 36th Street and East University Avenue) and Gate 2C (East 38th Street and University Avenue), respectively. 

Lots A and B contain both paved and hard-packed surface parking. Lot C contains hard-packed surfaces. Designated accessible parking spaces on main streets in the inner grounds will not be available during the Fair.

Parking personnel will do their best to direct visitor vehicles to the closest, most convenient parking available.

Blue Line Parking Shuttle Map

Fairgrounds Map

Bicycle Parking

Bicycle parking is available inside Gate 13 for free. Please enter off Maple Ave to Gate 13 for designated bicycle parking. The parking will be secured and safe inside the parking lot, just outside of the entry gate. Bikers are encouraged to bring their own locks.

Taxis, Uber & Lyft

Taxis, Uber and Lyft can pull off near Gate 8 (203 Rock Island, Des Moines, Iowa 50317) on Dean Ave for pick up and drop off. NOTE: Ride Share drivers must use the pull-off area just east of the Gate entrance. Ride Share vehicles are not allowed entrance into Gate 8 for drop off.

Motorcycle Parking

Three parking lots are available for motorcycle parking at $10 per vehicle. Motorcycles may park in any lot, but the northeast corner of Lot A (between the Gate 1 and Gate 2 entrances) has an area designated and roped off for motorcycles. Bicycle parking is available inside Gate 13 for free.

Park & Ride Options

Free Park & Ride

For 2026 the Iowa State Fair and CIT Charters will be offering a completely free park-and-ride option from Southridge Mall.

The new CIT Transportation buses operating from Southridge Mall will be free for all riders. Free parking will be marked in the Southridge Mall parking lot and buses will run continuously from 8 a.m. to midnight (service from the Fairgrounds will end at 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 23).

All buses will drop off and pick up Fairgoers at Gate 10 off East 30^th sponsored by Select Iowa Buick Dealers.

DART Park & Ride

Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) offers shuttle services to and from the Fairgrounds.

Fairgoers can park their car for free at one of two convenient locations around the metro and catch a ride to the Fair. Services available from 8 a.m. to midnight (service from the Fairgrounds will end at 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 23). Shuttles drop off and pick up at Gate 10 on the Fairgrounds (DART Transit Hub sponsored by Select Iowa Buick GMC Dealers).

*Routes subject to change based on busing services, road construction or traffic.

DART Park & Ride Locations

• 7th & Center St. Park & Ride (830 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309)
• Iowa State Capitol Building (Located on E 12th St., between E Grand Ave. & E Walnut St.)