Guide

Red River Rivalry Parking & Transportation: Complete Game Day Guide

• Red River Rivalry Staff
#Parking #Transportation #Game Day #Cotton Bowl #Dallas

Getting to the Cotton Bowl can be tricky, especially during the State Fair. Here’s everything you need to know about parking and transportation for the Red River Rivalry.

Parking at Fair Park

Official Fair Park Lots

Lot Pricing

  • Standard Lots: $20-30
  • Premium Lots: $40-50
  • VIP Lots: $60-100

Best Lots by Location

Closest to Cotton Bowl:

  • Lot 7 - Adjacent to stadium (arrive early!)
  • Lot 8 - Next to Lot 7, great option
  • Lot 15 - Short walk, good availability

Best Value:

  • Lot 1 - Further walk but cheaper
  • Lot 6 - Good middle ground
  • Perimeter lots - Cheapest but 15-20 minute walk

Parking Strategy

Early Arrival (Before 11 AM)

  • Best lot selection
  • Easier entry/exit
  • Time to explore State Fair
  • Lower stress levels

Standard Arrival (11 AM - 1 PM)

  • Most lots still available
  • Moderate traffic
  • 30-45 minute walk from far lots
  • Pre-game time to spare

Late Arrival (After 1 PM)

  • Limited options
  • Heavy traffic
  • May need to park in outer lots
  • Consider rideshare instead

Alternative Parking Options

Nearby Neighborhoods

Deep Ellum (1.5 miles away)

  • Free street parking (check signs!)
  • Short Uber/Lyft ride
  • Great restaurants pre/post game
  • Safe during daytime

East Dallas Residential

  • Some free street parking
  • 1-2 mile walk or quick rideshare
  • Respect residents’ property
  • Leave by 6 PM to avoid crowds

Park & Ride

DART Rail Stations:

  • Park at any Green Line station
  • Free parking at most stations
  • Ride to Fair Park Station
  • $3 each way per person

Recommended Stations:

  • Lake Highlands
  • Lawnview
  • White Rock
  • Forest Lane

Public Transportation

Why It’s Great:

  • Drops you at Fair Park Station
  • No parking hassles
  • Cheap ($3 each way)
  • No traffic worries
  • Can pre-game on train

How to Use:

  1. Park at any Green Line station
  2. Buy ticket ($3 at machine)
  3. Take Green Line toward Downtown
  4. Get off at Fair Park Station
  5. Walk 5 minutes to Cotton Bowl

Important Notes:

  • Trains get VERY crowded after game
  • Consider waiting 30-45 minutes post-game
  • Keep valuables secure
  • Check Sunday schedule (reduced service)

Bus Service

DART Buses:

  • Multiple routes to Fair Park
  • Check DART website for schedules
  • Less crowded than trains
  • Good backup option

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

Drop-off Locations

Designated Rideshare Zones:

  • Zone A: Near Lot 15 (best option)
  • Zone B: MLK Jr. Blvd entrance
  • Zone C: Second Avenue entrance

Pickup After the Game

Pro Tips:

  • Walk 1-2 blocks away from stadium
  • Request pickup at nearby business
  • Wait 30-45 minutes for surge pricing to drop
  • Consider walking to Deep Ellum for pickup

Good Pickup Spots:

  • Starbucks on Second Avenue
  • Restaurants along MLK Jr. Blvd
  • Deep Ellum (15-20 minute walk)

Cost Estimates

  • From Downtown Dallas: $15-25 (surge: $40-60)
  • From DFW Airport: $45-65
  • From Love Field: $25-35
  • Post-game surge: 2-3x normal price

Traffic Patterns

Inbound Traffic

Worst Times:

  • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (peak arrival)
  • Use Haskell Avenue or Second Avenue
  • Avoid I-30 if possible

Best Routes:

  • From North: US-75 to Haskell Avenue
  • From South: I-45 to Second Avenue
  • From West: I-30 to exit early, use surface streets
  • From East: I-30 to MLK Jr. Blvd

Outbound Traffic

Expect Delays:

  • First 60-90 minutes post-game are brutal
  • Use this time to explore State Fair
  • Grab dinner at fair
  • Shop for souvenirs

Quick Exit Strategy:

  • Park in outer lots facing exits
  • Leave 5 minutes before game ends (if losing badly)
  • Walk to neighborhood for easier rideshare
  • Use DART if parked at station

Accessibility & ADA Parking

ADA Lots

  • Lot 7 - Closest to Cotton Bowl
  • Reserved ADA spaces throughout Fair Park
  • Free parking with valid placard
  • Drop-off zones available

Accessible Transportation

  • DART Rail - All stations wheelchair accessible
  • Paratransit service available (book in advance)
  • Golf cart shuttles within Fair Park

Tailgating Rules

What’s Allowed:

  • Grills in designated lots only
  • Tents in designated spaces
  • Coolers (check stadium bag policy)
  • Responsible alcohol consumption (21+)

What’s NOT Allowed:

  • Glass containers
  • Open flames outside designated areas
  • Obstructing traffic lanes
  • Tailgating past 4 hours pre-game

Best Tailgating Lots:

  • Lot 7 - Right next to stadium
  • Lot 8 - Great atmosphere
  • Lot 15 - Space for larger setups

Money-Saving Tips

Free/Cheap Options:

  1. DART Rail - $6 roundtrip (vs $30+ parking)
  2. Park & Walk - Free street parking 1+ mile away
  3. Carpool - Split costs with friends
  4. Early Bird Parking - Sometimes discounted

Cost Comparison:

  • Driving & Parking: $30-50 + gas
  • DART Rail: $6 per person
  • Rideshare: $30-50 (each way + surge)
  • Taxi: $40-70 (each way)

My Recommendations

Best Overall: DART Rail

  • Cost: $6 roundtrip
  • Convenience: 9/10
  • Ease: 10/10
  • Best for: Solo travelers, budget-conscious fans

Best for Tailgating: Lot 7/8

  • Cost: $40-50
  • Convenience: 10/10
  • Ease: 7/10 (arrive early)
  • Best for: Groups, serious tailgaters

Best for Families: Premium Parking

  • Cost: $60-100
  • Convenience: 9/10
  • Ease: 9/10
  • Best for: Families with kids, first-timers

Best Budget Option: Park & Ride

  • Cost: $0 (free parking) + $6 DART
  • Convenience: 8/10
  • Ease: 8/10
  • Best for: Budget travelers

Game Day Timeline

4 Hours Before (11:00 AM for 2:30 PM game)

  • Parking lots open
  • Best selection available
  • Time to explore State Fair
  • Set up tailgate

3 Hours Before (12:00 PM)

  • Traffic picks up
  • Most lots still available
  • Good tailgating time
  • Visit fair attractions

2 Hours Before (1:00 PM)

  • Peak parking time
  • Some lots filling up
  • Last chance for fair food
  • Head toward stadium

1 Hour Before (2:00 PM)

  • Lots mostly full
  • Heavy pedestrian traffic
  • Enter stadium gates
  • Find your seats

Post-Game Strategy

  • Stay at State Fair for 30-45 minutes
  • Grab post-game food
  • Browse fair exhibits
  • Traffic clears significantly

Option 2: Walk Away

  • Walk 4-5 blocks in any direction
  • Request rideshare from quieter area
  • Avoid surge pricing
  • Get exercise

Option 3: Pre-Book Transportation

  • Reserve parking in outer lot facing exit
  • Pre-arrange designated driver
  • Book hotel within walking distance
  • Plan DART timing

Important Reminders

Before You Go:

  • Check parking lot hours
  • Download DART app for tickets
  • Save rideshare pickup locations
  • Check traffic reports
  • Verify bag policy
  • Bring cash (some lots cash-only)

Day Of:

  • Allow extra 30-60 minutes
  • Charge your phone fully
  • Screenshot directions
  • Bring parking receipt
  • Note where you parked!

Emergency Contacts

  • Fair Park Security: (214) 670-8400
  • DART Customer Service: (214) 979-1111
  • Non-Emergency Police: 311
  • Emergency: 911

Bottom line: DART Rail is your best bet for stress-free transportation. If you must drive, arrive early and plan to stay at the Fair for at least 30 minutes after the game.

For more game day tips, check out our Complete Cotton Bowl Stadium Guide.