Facility Overview

Bobcat Lot 5 (also known as the Deer Street Lot) is an open-air surface parking facility situated on the western campus sector of Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, Montana. Positioned just off South 13th Avenue along Deer Street, this lot features a functional, unobstructed single-level asphalt surface with straightforward row layouts. Because there are no overhead structures, ceiling beams, or parking decks, Bobcat Lot 5 provides open headroom with zero vertical clearance limits. This open design makes it particularly accommodating for tall SUVs, lifted four-wheel-drive trucks, roof-rack-equipped ski and outdoor rigs, full-size passenger vans, and light commercial vehicles, in addition to standard compact cars and sedans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Bobcat Lot 5 sits directly adjacent to several premier academic, residential, and natural landmarks on the MSU campus. The picturesque Mandeville Creek corridor and its public Chronolog nature-monitoring station run directly along the eastern boundary of the lot. Major surrounding facilities and attractions include:

• MSU Residence Halls: Located right beside North Hedges Hall and South Hedges Hall, providing rapid access for campus visitors, friends, and families (under a 2-minute walk).
• Campus Dining: Within a 3- to 5-minute walk of Miller Dining Commons and Rendezvous Dining Pavilion.
• Academic Complexes: Conveniently close to the Animal Biosciences Building, Norm Asbjornson Hall, Leon Johnson Hall, and the central campus corridor (5 to 8 minutes on foot).
• Athletic Venues: Bobcat Stadium and the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse are roughly 10 to 12 minutes on foot to the south/southeast, making it a viable satellite parking zone during high-demand game days, concerts, and commencement ceremonies.
• Museum of the Rockies: Located approximately 1.2 miles east, easily accessible via a 5-minute drive or scenic campus walk.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via South 13th Avenue, with direct entry along Deer Street between South 13th and South 12th Avenue. The wide drive aisles allow smooth vehicular turning and clear line of sight, reducing post-event bottlenecks compared to enclosed garages. For regional motorists, the lot connects seamlessly to Bozeman’s primary arterial corridors: South 19th Avenue is situated less than a mile to the west, West Lincoln Street and West Kagy Boulevard are situated to the south, and Interstate 90 (Exit 305 or Exit 309) is accessible within 10 to 12 minutes by car.

Public and campus transit connections are readily available. Bozeman's fare-free Streamline Bus network operates frequent service along nearby 11th Avenue and Grant Street, linking campus to Downtown Bozeman, shopping centers, and regional hubs. In addition, MSU's free CatTracks campus shuttle system stops nearby at regular intervals during weekdays, transporting passengers smoothly across campus academic cores and peripheral parking zones.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt stalls featuring unobstructed overhead space for all vehicle heights.
• Designated Accessibility: Clearly marked ADA-compliant accessible spaces positioned adjacent to curb ramps and sidewalk connections.
• Campus Safety & Lighting: Equipped with overhead dusk-to-dawn exterior luminaires and monitored by Montana State University Police Department regular patrols.
• Digital Payment & Permit Management: Full integration with the Passport Parking mobile application for hourly visitor parking, as well as MSU Parking license plate recognition (LPR) permitting.
• Pedestrian Links: Direct connection to paved sidewalks and Mandeville Creek walking trails leading straight into the heart of campus.

Ideal For

• Residence Hall Visitors: Guests, visiting parents, and friends visiting North and South Hedges residence communities.
• MSU Students & Faculty: Commuters holding valid university Bobcat parking permits seeking open, dependable surface spots.
• Athletics & Event Overflow: Attendees heading to Bobcat Stadium football matchups, Brick Breeden Fieldhouse basketball games, or special arena concerts.
• Outdoor Enthusiasts & Campus Visitors: Visitors strolling along the scenic Mandeville Creek greenway or visiting adjacent academic buildings.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Permit Regulations: Parking permits or mobile meter sessions via the Passport Parking app are enforced during standard university hours (typically Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Ensure you input your license plate correctly, as MSU enforces parking through automated License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras.
• Evenings & Weekends: Standard parking restrictions often relax during off-peak weekend hours and weekday evenings after 6:00 PM, though reserved stalls, service drives, and 24-hour zones remain enforced at all times.
• Winter Weather Preparedness: Bozeman experiences heavy winter snowfall and freezing temperatures. Watch for posted snow removal maintenance signs, park within marked lines despite packed snow, and carry a winter emergency kit and snow brush.
• Game Day Planning: During Montana State Bobcats home football games, campus parking lots experience peak traffic and may transition to special athletic event permit or donor zones. Arrive early to secure convenient ingress and egress.