About this Location

Facility Overview

The 8972 County Rd N Parking facility, officially maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) as the Appleton (US 10 / County N) Park and Ride, is a dedicated open-air commuter surface lot situated in Calumet County within the Village of Harrison and greater Appleton metro area. Designed to support daily commuters, regional carpoolers, and recreational travelers across the Fox River Valley, the facility provides an organized, paved layout with 41 designated parking stalls. Because this is an open-air surface parking facility without overhead gates, parking decks, or low ceilings, it offers open vertical clearance suitable for standard passenger sedans, crossovers, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans equipped with roof racks or cargo boxes. State regulations specify that parking is restricted to passenger vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less; detached trailers, heavy commercial transport, and vehicles posted for sale are strictly prohibited.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Conveniently located at the junction of County Road N and US Highway 10, the lot sits in close proximity to prominent nature reserves, cultural venues, and shopping destinations across the Fox Cities region:

High Cliff State Park & Lake Winnebago: Located roughly 5 miles southeast via County Rd N and State Highway 114, this 1,200-acre state park is beloved for cliffside hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, boating, camping, and panoramic views over Lake Winnebago.
Darboy Commercial Corridor: Situated approximately 2.5 miles northwest along County Road KK (Calumet Street), offering expansive shopping and dining options including Kohl's, Walmart Supercenter, Marcus Valley Grand Cinema, and numerous local eateries.
Downtown Appleton & Fox Cities Exhibition Center: Just 6 miles northwest, home to premier cultural hubs including the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC), Lawrence University, Trout Museum of Art, and Fox Trot Trail.
Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium: Located about 9 miles away via US-10 West and I-41, hosting the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) as well as major outdoor concerts.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the lot is straightforward from both arterial corridors. Motorists traveling along US Highway 10 can exit directly onto County Road N and head slightly north to find the well-marked driveway on the east side of County N. Wide turning aprons and clearly designated lanes facilitate smooth, low-stress ingress and egress even during morning and evening rush hours. The location serves as a critical interchange point connecting the rural communities of eastern Calumet County (such as Sherwood and Hilbert) with the urban center of Appleton and the Fox Cities. Drivers benefit from immediate connectivity onto WIS 441 (the Tri-County Expressway) and Interstate 41, unlocking rapid regional transit toward Green Bay to the northeast and Oshkosh/Fond du Lac to the south. The facility functions as a core hub for the WisDOT RIDESHARE commuter carpooling network.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Free Commuter Parking: Open to the public 24/7 free of charge with no permits or ticketing required.
Lighted Asphalt Lot: Outfitted with high-efficiency overhead pole lighting to enhance nighttime visibility, security, and personal safety.
ADA Accessibility: Equipped with designated ADA-compliant accessible parking stalls featuring adjacent access aisles.
Extended Parking Policy: Allows overnight and weekend stays up to a maximum duration of 7 continuous days (1 week).
Open-Air Clearance: Unrestricted vertical headroom accommodates high vehicles and vehicles carrying bikes, kayaks, or cargo racks.
WisDOT Rideshare Support: Designated carpool and vanpool congregation point managed under statewide transit initiatives.

Ideal For

Daily Fox Cities Commuters: Professionals sharing rides toward downtown Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, or Green Bay commercial employment hubs.
Recreational Visitors & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Day hikers, boaters, and cyclists staging single-car trips toward High Cliff State Park, Friendship State Trail, and Lake Winnebago.
Event & Game Attendees: Sports fans and concertgoers carpooling toward Lambeau Field in Green Bay, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, or local Fox Valley festivals.
Weekend Travelers: Drivers needing safe, free 24- to 72-hour vehicle staging while leaving the area with colleagues, friends, or family.

Visitor & Driver Tips

While the lot rarely reaches maximum capacity on standard workdays, spaces can fill quickly on major holiday weekends or during high-demand summer events like Mile of Music and EAA AirVenture in nearby Oshkosh. When entering, watch for directional WisDOT signage along County Road N indicating the lot turnoff. Make sure to lock your doors, conceal all personal belongings and valuables out of sight, and remove GPS brackets or devices. Pay close attention to posted regulatory signage: do not leave a vehicle parked beyond the 7-day maximum allowance to avoid municipal towing, and ensure your vehicle does not exceed the posted 8,000-pound curb weight limit or obstruct snow-removal operations during Wisconsin winter months.