NC State Fair parking: How, where to park for free at the 2023 NC State Fair
The North Carolina State Fair runs Oct. 12-22, 2023. Read on for our guide to NC State Fair parking.
2023 NC State Fair Guide | Download and print a map | List: 54 new foods this year | New rides | Visit WRAL at the fair | Homegrown Music Fest schedule Our favorite fair foods
NC State Fair parking: Where to park for free
Free parking is available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Football Stadium and PNC Arena properties. Fairgoers are encouraged to take Wade Avenue to the Edwards Mill Extension to park in these lots. Pay attention to officers directing traffic.
There may be exceptions if events are scheduled at Carter-Finley or PNC Arena. PNC Arena Parking will be reserved/paid parking on the following dates:
- Friday, Oct. 13
- Saturday, Oct. 14
- Wednesday, Oct. 18
Recreational vehicles are not allowed to remain in the parking spaces managed by the NC State Fair between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.
Paid parking
There also are private lots around the fairgrounds, where you can pay to park. Just look for the signs.
During the fair, neighboring residents frequently convert parts of their property to small parking lots. This is not controlled by the N.C. State Fair.
Shuttle options near the fair
Free shuttles will run continuously and drop you off at the fairgrounds.
Dogwood Lot: The NC State Fair offers free off-site parking at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek (4501 Reedy Creek Road) with free shuttles dropping you off just across from Gate 9 on Trinity Road. Shuttles will run continuously. Drop off and pick up will be across Trinity Road at Gate 9 on the Carter-Finley Stadium side of the road. There will be a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines.
Dogwood lot hours: Thursday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. until one hour after gates close; and Friday, Oct. 13 - Sunday, Oct. 22: 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close.
Cardinal Lot: The NC State Fair offers also offers free off-site parking off N.C. Highway 54/Chapel Hill Road (5766 Chapel Hill Road) just past I-40 Exit 290 with free shuttles to Gate 7 off Youth Center Drive. Pick up will occur at the same location. Shuttles will run continuously. Amenities on site will include a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines.
Cardinal lot hours: Thursday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. until one hour after gates close; and Friday, Oct. 13 - Sunday, Oct. 22: 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close.
Uber and ride share
If you're using a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft, use Gate 1 on Hillsborough Street as your destination.
Amtrak
An Amtrak train will drop fairgoers off in front of the fairgrounds each day, beginning Oct. 13. The train stop is located just outside Gate 2, near Dorton Arena.
Passengers can board at any of these stations: Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham and Cary.
Getting to and from the State Fair:
- Take Carolinian train 80 departing Charlotte at 6:45 a.m., arriving at the fairgrounds at 9:53 a.m.
- Take Piedmont train 72 departing Charlotte at 10:25 a.m., arriving at fairgrounds at 1:37 p.m.
- Board Piedmont train 77 departing the fairgrounds at 3:29 p.m., arriving in Charlotte at 6:29 p.m.
- Board Carolinian train 79 departing the fairgrounds at 5:44 p.m., arriving in Charlotte at 9:04 p.m.
At the fair, passengers must be at the Amtrak hospitality tent no later than 20 minutes before scheduled departure time for pre-boarding and check in. Passengers are also responsible for knowing train status in the event of delays.
- Piedmont train 77 will begin boarding at 3:09 p.m.
- Carolinian train 79 will begin boarding at 5:24 p.m.
- Trains 77 & 79 are not interchangeable.
Use station code NSF when booking tickets online. Passengers should also have hand stamped for re-entry before you leave the State Fair in case of delays.
