About this Location

Facility Overview

The East Parking Deck is a premier, multi-level covered parking garage located on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) at 1965 Bigler Road, State College, PA. Positioned strategically in the northeastern corridor of campus, this modern parking facility provides sheltered, year-round parking designed to serve university staff, students, alumni, and campus visitors. The structure features broad driving lanes, clear directional signage, multiple stairwells, and modern passenger elevators connecting all parking tiers. Most standard passenger sedans, crossovers, minivans, and light pickup trucks can navigate the facility comfortably, with vertical clearance generally posted around 7 feet 9 inches on the ground entry level and 7 feet 0 inches on upper decks. Oversized commercial vehicles, extended high-roof camper vans, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo boxes or roof-mounted bicycles should observe posted height restriction bars at the entrance before entering.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the bustling heart of Penn State\'s athletic and residential district, the East Parking Deck is one of the most conveniently located parking garages for university events, sports, and campus tours. Notable destinations within direct walking distance include:

Penn State Berkey Creamery: Just a 3-minute stroll (approx. 0.2 miles) south along Curtin Road, offering legendary ice cream, cheeses, and dairy treats.
Pegula Ice Arena: Located less than an 8-minute walk away, home to Penn State varsity ice hockey and community ice-skating sessions.
Bryce Jordan Center (BJC): A 10-minute walk southeast, hosting Penn State basketball, commencement ceremonies, and major arena concerts.
Beaver Stadium: Approximately a 12-to-15-minute walk east, making this deck a prime parking choice for Nittany Lions game days and athletic events.
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park: Roughly a 10-minute walk to Penn State and State College Spikes baseball games.
East Halls Residential Complex: Directly adjacent to the facility, making it exceptionally convenient for visiting parents, student move-in/move-out days, and campus deliveries.
Lewis Katz Building (Penn State Law) & The Arboretum at Penn State: Roughly a 10-minute walk north along Bigler Road and Park Avenue.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the East Parking Deck are situated directly off Bigler Road, just north of Curtin Road and moments south of Park Avenue. Park Avenue provides a fast, direct arterial link to Interstate 99 (I-99) and US Route 322, allowing motorists arriving from Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, or Philadelphia to reach the deck without having to navigate congested downtown State College streets. For local public transit, the deck serves as a key junction for the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) bus lines, including frequent campus loop and link services (such as the Blue Loop, White Loop, and Red Link) providing fare-free connections throughout the central campus, College Avenue, and downtown State College.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Multi-story covered parking structure offering shelter from rain, snow, and summer heat.
Well-illuminated interior parking bays, stairwells, and elevator towers with emergency phone call boxes.
Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces located in close proximity to elevators on multiple levels.
Automated contactless payment kiosks and convenient mobile payment support through the ParkMobile app (Zone 95106).
Dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations available on designated levels for plug-in electric vehicles.
Integrated license plate recognition (LPR) and digital permit validation capabilities for faculty and university permit holders.

Ideal For

Fans attending Penn State hockey at Pegula Ice Arena or basketball and concerts at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Visitors touring the campus, prospective students visiting admissions, or alumni visiting the Berkey Creamery.
Commuting Penn State staff, faculty, and authorized student permit holders.
Families and friends visiting students living in the East Halls residential neighborhood.
Guests attending academic conferences, law symposia, or events at the Lewis Katz Building and nearby academic halls.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During Penn State home football Saturdays, arena sellouts at the Bryce Jordan Center, and university commencement weekends, parking spaces fill up rapidly and special event flat-rate parking rules may apply. Pre-paying via the ParkMobile mobile app or securing advance permits via the Penn State Transportation Services portal is highly encouraged to guarantee your space. Allow additional time when departing after major stadium events, as campus police often redirect traffic onto Park Avenue to ease regional highway dispersal.