Facility Overview

Harris Riverfront Park Parking serves Huntington's flagship waterfront public space and the adjacent historic Heritage Station district along the scenic Ohio River. Administered in connection with the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District (GHPRD), this facility offers dedicated open-air surface parking nestled right along the riverbank inside the city floodwall, as well as contiguous parking around Veterans Memorial Boulevard and 11th Street. The lot layout features wide asphalt driving lanes, clearly designated bays, and a direct ramp configuration leading toward the river walkway and public boat ramp.

Because the parking areas are entirely open-air and ground-level, there are zero vertical clearance restrictions. This unobstructed headroom makes the facility exceptionally versatile: standard passenger sedans, full-sized pickup trucks, large SUVs, commercial cargo vans, high-profile conversion vans, and recreational vehicles can park effortlessly. Furthermore, the facility easily accommodates vehicles hauling personal watercraft, kayak trailers, and boat trailers utilizing the adjacent municipal river launch.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated on the northern edge of Downtown Huntington, Harris Riverfront Park Parking places visitors within steps of the region's premier outdoor and cultural amenities:

• Harris Riverfront Park & Amphitheater (on site): Huntington’s centerpiece venue for outdoor concerts, civic gatherings, wedding receptions, and seasonal festivals like Rails & Ales, featuring a riverfront performance stage, expansive green lawns, a playground, a skate park, and the Chuck Ripper Trail.
• Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH) (on site): Huntington’s expansive multi-use paved trail network, directly accessible from the lot for walking, running, and cycling along the riverbank.
• Heritage Station (across Veterans Memorial Blvd, 1–2 min walk): A revitalized historic passenger train depot home to artisan boutiques, local craft gift shops (The Red Caboose), specialty bakeries, and the GHPRD headquarters.
• Pullman Square (2–4 min walk): The city's bustling lifestyle center offering shopping, a 16-screen Marquee Cinemas movie theater, and popular dining establishments such as Roosters, Backyard Pizza, and local cafes.
• Mountain Health Arena (6–8 min walk): Huntington’s major multipurpose sports arena and convention center, hosting arena concerts, touring family shows, trade expos, and sporting tournaments.
• Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center (6–8 min walk): Huntington's historic atmospheric theater on 4th Avenue, showcasing Broadway tours, Marshall Artists Series productions, and symphony concerts.
• Marshall University (approx. 0.8 miles east): Located just a 3-minute drive or a pleasant walk/bike ride east through the Old Main and 4th Avenue corridors.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward and optimized for steady traffic movement. Drivers access the riverfront lots by passing through the designated floodwall portals located at 10th Street and 12th Street directly off Veterans Memorial Boulevard (WV Route 2 / US-60 truck bypass). Both entryways feature wide gate portals that safely accommodate simultaneous two-way traffic. When departing large community gatherings, vehicles can exit quickly via 10th or 12th Street and turn directly onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard or head southward into downtown's grid system.

Regional highway connectivity is exceptional: Veterans Memorial Boulevard connects seamlessly to US Route 52 and Interstate 64 (via Exit 6 or Exit 11), while the nearby Robert C. Byrd Bridge (Route 527) provides a 2-minute direct crossing across the Ohio River into Chesapeake, Ohio. For public transit users, the Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA) operates multiple bus routes through the adjacent downtown transfer zone on 4th Avenue, and the Huntington Amtrak passenger train depot sits roughly a half-mile to the south.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt surface with clear stall striping and generous turning radiuses.
• Zero Height Restrictions: Complete open-sky clearance catering to high-top vans, lifted trucks, rooftop racks, and boat haulers.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Marked handicap-accessible spaces located close to the paved riverfront pathways and public facilities.
• Boat Launch & Marina Proximity: Designated maneuvering room allowing boaters convenient access to the public boat launch ramp.
• Illumination & Visibility: Overhead pole lighting and open visibility throughout the riverfront park grounds.
• Direct Recreational Connectivity: Seamless walking connectivity to the PATH trail system, public restrooms, picnic pavilions, and playground.

Ideal For

• Park Visitors & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Walkers, joggers, and cyclists hopping onto the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health or relaxing along the riverbank.
• Boaters & Anglers: Truck and trailer operators launching motorized watercraft, jet skis, kayaks, or canoes into the Ohio River.
• Waterfront Concert & Festival Attendees: Visitors attending seasonal amphitheater performances, food truck rallies, and community celebrations.
• Downtown Diners & Shoppers: Patrons heading to Pullman Square or Heritage Station seeking convenient ground-level parking adjacent to downtown.
• Arena & Theatergoers: Cost-conscious visitors seeking convenient alternative parking within a short walk of Mountain Health Arena and the Keith-Albee.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Take advantage of the following insider recommendations when planning your visit:

• General Parking Availability: Surface parking within the park grounds is free for public park visitors during standard operating hours, making it an outstanding cost-free starting point for exploring the Huntington waterfront.
• Major Event Street Closures: During major ticketed festivals (such as Rails & Ales or Fourth of July celebrations), inside-the-floodwall parking may be restricted or reserved exclusively for event operations. On those peak occasions, utilize the metered street spots on 10th/11th Street or the covered parking garages at Pullman Square and 8th Street.
• GPS Navigation Tip: Enter via 10th Street or 12th Street at Veterans Memorial Boulevard to navigate cleanly through the floodwall entrance portals directly to the river-level bays.
• Secure Personal Belongings: Because this is an open municipal recreational lot, always roll up your windows, lock your vehicle, and store valuable personal items out of sight in the trunk.