Facility Overview

Kemper Street Long Term Parking is the primary park-and-ride and extended-stay parking facility serving Lynchburg's historic intermodal transport hub at 825 Kemper Street. Situated just south of Downtown Lynchburg in the Midtown / Kemper district, this open-air surface parking lot provides convenient vehicular staging for rail passengers, bus riders, trail explorers, and municipal visitors. Because the facility is entirely outdoor and flat-graded, there are no overhead clearance bars or structural height restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger cars, lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, cargo vans, and high-roof conversion vehicles that cannot clear standard parking garages.

The facility features clearly marked standard parking bays, dedicated ADA-accessible stalls close to station ramps, and wide turning aisles that make navigating and maneuvering larger passenger vehicles smooth and straightforward. As an official City of Lynchburg and transit-associated parking ground, it functions continuously around the clock to support round-the-clock passenger schedules on regional transit networks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned immediately adjacent to the historic 1912 Kemper Street Train Station, the parking lot places travelers directly on the doorstep of Central Virginia's chief multimodal connection. In addition to transit riders, visitors take advantage of this strategic location to reach diverse local landmarks and outdoor destinations:

• Kemper Station Trail & Blackwater Creek Trail Network: Directly adjacent to the facility is the Kemper Station Trailhead, providing cyclists, runners, and walkers immediate paved access to the celebrated Blackwater Creek Trail and the larger 10-mile James River Heritage Trail network.
• Miller Park: Located less than 1 mile away (approximately a 15-minute walk or 3-minute drive), this historic public park features the Aviary, athletic fields, walking circuits, and public recreation grounds.
• Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum: Located roughly 1 mile northeast, this 27-acre historic cemetery, garden, and museum site is one of Lynchburg's most visited historical attractions.
• Downtown Lynchburg & Riverfront: Situated approximately 1.5 miles to the northeast (a 5-minute drive or direct 6-minute bus ride), where visitors can experience the Academy Center of the Arts, Amazement Square children's museum, Monument Terrace, and bustling riverfront restaurants along Jefferson and Main Streets.
• Higher Education Hubs: Both the University of Lynchburg (2 miles west) and Liberty University (under 4 miles south) are quickly reachable by car, rideshare, or connecting bus transit.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Kemper Street Long Term Parking is simple and intuitive. Ingress and egress points connect directly onto Kemper Street near the intersection of Park Avenue and Campbell Avenue. For regional motorists, the facility enjoys rapid highway connectivity via US-29 Business, US-501, and the US-460 bypass, allowing drivers from surrounding counties to bypass city-center street congestion when heading straight for their train or bus connection.

In terms of transit integration, this parking facility stands unrivaled in Central Virginia:

• Amtrak Rail Service: Steps away inside the historic Kemper Street Station, travelers board the Amtrak Northeast Regional (offering direct northbound service to Charlottesville, Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston) and the long-distance Crescent line (serving Atlanta and New Orleans).
• GLTC Transfer Center: Directly opposite the facility at 800 Kemper Street lies the LEED Platinum-certified Greater Lynchburg Transit Company central hub, where nearly every local city bus route converges on regular half-hour schedules.
• Intercity Motorcoaches: Both Greyhound Lines and the state-sponsored Virginia Breeze (Piedmont Express route) stop at Kemper Street Station, providing scheduled long-distance regional coach transit.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-air surface parking layout with clear ground striping and generous drive lanes.
• Unrestricted vertical headroom accommodating tall commercial vans, roof boxes, racks, and high-clearance pickups.
• Complimentary parking accommodations for transit patrons taking same-day and multi-day train or bus journeys.
• Designated ADA accessible parking stalls conveniently located near paved access ramps and platform elevators.
• Direct walking access to indoor Amtrak ticketing, waiting room facilities, restrooms, vending, and station staff during scheduled hours.
• Equipped with perimeter street lighting and routine municipal police and transit patrol visibility.
• Immediate trailhead link to the Kemper Station Trail and local cycling infrastructure with on-site bicycle parking.

Ideal For

• Long-Distance Rail Travelers: Amtrak passengers heading north to Washington, D.C. or New York City who require dependable, multi-day, overnight parking.
• Intercity Bus Riders: Commuters and students utilizing Virginia Breeze and Greyhound routes throughout Virginia and neighboring states.
• Local Transit Commuters: Drivers looking to park outside the immediate downtown core and hop on a GLTC bus to work or class.
• Outdoor Enthusiasts & Cyclists: Trail users seeking a convenient launching point to connect with the Blackwater Creek Trail and James River trails.
• Visiting University Families: Parents and students visiting Liberty University or the University of Lynchburg looking for central meeting or transit staging.

Visitor & Driver Tips

While parking at the Kemper Street facility is free and operates 24 hours a day, spaces can fill up rapidly during peak travel seasons, including Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, spring breaks, and university graduation weekends. If you are catching an Amtrak departure during these high-volume periods, aim to arrive 45 to 60 minutes prior to departure to secure a spot and comfortably navigate down to the boarding platform.

For optimal convenience when parking overnight or for several days, select a space in the well-lit rows closest to the main station approach. Always practice smart vehicle security by rolling up windows, locking all doors, and keeping luggage, charging cables, electronics, and valuables completely hidden from view in your trunk. If you are heading out on an extended trip spanning more than a week, consider coordinating a drop-off or rideshare during peak holidays when available spots are most contested.