About this Location

Facility Overview

The Hawthorn Parking Lot is a major open-air surface parking facility situated on the scenic Ivyside Campus of Penn State Altoona in northern Altoona, Pennsylvania. Located adjacent to the Hawthorn Building and near the Broadway entrance, this expansive paved lot is engineered to serve the high daily transit demands of the university community, visiting lecturers, prospective students, and community members attending campus events. Because it is an outdoor grade-level lot without overhead decks or low clearance barriers, it comfortably accommodates a wide variety of passenger vehicles. Standard sedans, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and high-roof conversion or transport vans can maneuver and park without vertical clearance restrictions.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned on the western edge of the Ivyside campus grounds, Hawthorn Parking Lot offers convenient direct foot access to key campus hubs and regional attractions:

Hawthorn Building: Directly adjacent, housing modern classrooms, computer labs, academic advising, and faculty offices.
Adler Athletic Complex: Within a 5-to-7-minute walk (approx. 0.3 miles), hosting NCAA Division III athletics, intramural sports, community fitness programs, and campus convocations.
Robert E. Eiche Library: Located a brief 4-minute walk away, providing academic study zones, archives, and research databases.
Slep Student Center & Dining Commons: Less than a 5-minute walk, featuring campus dining, student organizations, and lounge areas.
Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts: A short 6-minute stroll, home to theatrical productions, musical performances, and art exhibitions.
Downtown Altoona Arts & Rail District: Roughly a 7-to-10-minute drive south, providing access to the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the historic Mishler Theatre, and downtown restaurants.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular ingress and egress to the Hawthorn Parking Lot is conveniently routed via Broadway and Juniata Gap Road, which connect directly to Interstate 99 (Bud Shuster Highway) via the 17th Street or 10th Avenue exits. The lot features wide two-way driving aisles, clear directional signage, and separate entry and exit curb cuts that ensure smooth traffic flow during peak morning class periods and afternoon departure rushes. For transit users, Amtran (Altoona Metro Transit) operates regular bus routes with direct stops at the Penn State Altoona campus shelter near the Hawthorn Lot, connecting riders smoothly across Altoona, Logan Township, and the downtown transportation center.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Expansive open-air asphalt parking with clearly marked lanes and generous stall widths.
Designated ADA accessible parking stalls located closest to primary building pathways and ramps.
Comprehensive high-illumination night lighting and campus emergency call boxes for enhanced personal safety.
Monitored by Penn State University Police and Public Safety with routine campus patrols.
Amtran campus bus shelter integrated along the perimeter for seamless multi-modal commuting.
Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating tall vehicles, utility vans, and roof-racked SUVs.

Ideal For

Penn State Altoona commuter students attending classes in the Hawthorn and Smith buildings.
University faculty, administrative personnel, and visiting academic lecturers.
Spectators and athletic supporters attending games and matches at the Adler Athletic Complex.
Patrons visiting theatrical showcases, gallery exhibitions, and seminars at the Misciagna Family Center.
Prospective students and families embarking on admissions tours of the Ivyside Campus.

Visitor & Driver Tips

University parking regulations are actively enforced across campus. While permit regulations generally apply on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, visitors can obtain temporary or guest parking permits through Penn State Altoona University Police and Public Safety located in the Poplar Building. Drivers arriving for public weekend lectures, athletic tournaments, or theatrical performances should verify event-specific parking permissions, as certain zones may open to general community parking outside of core instructional hours. Enter via the Broadway campus access road for the most straightforward approach to Hawthorn Lot stalls.