State Fair of Texas parking for 2026: official lots are $25 per car, the DART Green Line drops you at the main gate, and Texas–OU Saturday is the one day to plan around. Here’s where to park, what it costs, and how to skip the traffic entirely.
Where to Park for the State Fair of Texas
The 2026 fair runs Sept 25–Oct 18 at Fair Park. Official parking dropped $5 this year — and DART skips it altogether.
Check Parking Near Fair Park on SpotHero →$25 Per Car
Official State Fair lots are $25 per space every day — per car, not per person. Cash or card at the gate.
DART Green Line
Fair Park Station is at the main gate. A $6 day pass beats parking and post-fair traffic.
Gate 2 — S. Haskell Ave
The fair calls the Gate 2 lot at 925 S. Haskell its easiest and most convenient parking.
Saturday, Oct 10
Texas–OU at the Cotton Bowl brings 100,000+ people to Fair Park. Lots fill hours before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
The State Fair of Texas runs September 25 through October 18, 2026 at Fair Park in Dallas — 24 days and more than two million visitors. Parking is straightforward if you know the official lots and the DART option before you leave home.
Official State Fair Parking
Official State Fair parking is $25 per space, every day — down $5 from 2025. Lots are well lit and located near pedestrian gates, and you pay cash or card at the gate unless you’ve prepaid. Official lots have been located at Gates 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price | $25 per space, every day |
| Easiest lot | Gate 2 — 925 S. Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75223 |
| Other official lots | At Gates 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15 — check the parking map at bigtex.com |
| Lots open | Around 9:30 a.m. (the fair opens at 10 a.m.) |
| Payment | Cash or card at entry, unless prepaid |
| Overnight | Not allowed — except designated RV lots on Texas–OU weekend |
Coming in on I-30? The fair has recommended exit 48A toward Haskell Avenue for quicker access to the official lots.
Arrive early on weekends. Lots open around 9:30 a.m. — getting there near the 10 a.m. opening gives you the best choice of spots.
DART — The Smartest Move on a Busy Day
The DART Green Line serves two stations at the fairgrounds: Fair Park Station on Parry Avenue at the main entrance, and MLK, Jr. Station near Gate 6 and the Cotton Bowl. For 2026, DART is also adding State Fair Flyer service and extra Orange Line trains through Fair Park on weekends.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stations | Fair Park (main gate) and MLK, Jr. (near Gate 6) |
| Fare | $6 DART Local Day Pass — buy it in the GoPass app before you ride |
| Bonus | The GoPass app has a promo code for $5 off a one-day fair ticket bought online |
| From Fort Worth | Take the TRE and transfer to the Green Line in downtown Dallas |
| From Denton County | Take the A-train and transfer to the Green Line at Trinity Mills (no A-train on Sundays) |
Park & Ride is free. DART offers free parking at its Park & Ride stations. Drive to one on the Green Line, ride in for the price of the day pass, and skip Fair Park traffic entirely. Check the station’s parking rules before you go.
Rideshare and Taxi
The fair’s recommended rideshare and taxi drop-off and pickup is at Gate 1, at Gurley Avenue and S. Haskell Avenue. You can use other gates, but the fair says this spot keeps traffic moving best.
Private Lots and Street Parking
Private and community lots around Fair Park set their own prices, which often run higher on busy days — confirm the price before you pay. Residential streets near the fairgrounds fill quickly, so watch posted signs carefully to avoid a ticket. If you do get one, see what to do about a Dallas parking ticket.
Texas–OU Saturday — October 10
The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma kicks off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl inside Fair Park. The fair says more than 100,000 people travel to Fair Park for the game, on top of regular fair crowds — the busiest parking day of the year. The fairgrounds open early, at 7 a.m., on game day.
See the full guide: Cotton Bowl parking for Texas vs. OU.
Parking Costs at a Glance
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Official State Fair lots | $25 per car, every day |
| Private / community lots | Set by each lot — confirm before paying |
| SpotHero | Varies — check for reservable lots near Fair Park |
| DART Local Day Pass | $6 |
| DART Park & Ride | Free parking at the station + $6 day pass |
Tips for State Fair Parking
Go Tuesday through Thursday. Weekday crowds are lighter, parking is easier, and adult admission is $15 instead of $25. See the best day to go for each day’s deals.
Split the cost. Parking is per space, not per person — four people in one car pay about $6 each.
Know before you walk in. Every guest goes through security screening, and there are no lockers — anything not allowed goes back to your car. See our what to wear and bring guide for the bag policy.
Staying Overnight?
Skip Parking Entirely
Stay downtown or in Deep Ellum and ride the Green Line to the gate. See our picks for hotels near Fair Park.
Search Dallas Hotels → Browse Dallas VRBOs →State Fair of Texas Parking — FAQ
How much is parking at the State Fair of Texas in 2026?
Official State Fair lots are $25 per space every day, down $5 from 2025. Private lots nearby set their own prices. A DART Local Day Pass is $6.
Where is the best place to park for the State Fair of Texas?
The fair calls the Gate 2 lot at 925 S. Haskell Ave the easiest and most convenient. Other official lots are at Gates 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15.
Can you take DART to the State Fair of Texas?
Yes. The Green Line stops at Fair Park Station at the main entrance and MLK, Jr. Station near Gate 6. A $6 day pass covers unlimited rides.
Is there free parking for the State Fair of Texas?
Not at Fair Park. The closest thing is DART Park & Ride — free parking at the station, then a $6 day pass on the Green Line to the gate.
Where is rideshare pickup at the State Fair of Texas?
Gate 1, at Gurley Avenue and S. Haskell Avenue.
When is the State Fair of Texas 2026?
September 25 through October 18, 2026, at Fair Park in Dallas. The fair opens at 10 a.m. daily.
More Dallas Parking Guides
- → Cotton Bowl Parking — Texas vs. OU
- → Dos Equis Pavilion Parking
- → AT&T Stadium Parking — Arlington
- → American Airlines Center Parking
- → Downtown Dallas Parking Guide
- → Dallas Parking Tickets — What to Do
- → Dallas Parking — Full Guide
Dallas Unscripted is an independent guide. Fair dates, prices, policies, and schedules change annually — verify current information at bigtex.com before your visit. This post contains affiliate links; if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.