Facility Overview

The North Hedges Parking Lot is a primary open-air surface parking facility serving the vibrant western residential quadrant of the Montana State University (MSU) campus in Bozeman, Montana. Positioned at 33 Glacier Court, adjacent to North Hedges Hall, South Hedges Hall, and the Miller Dining Commons, the lot provides vital parking infrastructure for university residents, commuter students, campus staff, and visiting guests. Designed on an expansive, level asphalt deck, the lot features wide drive aisles, clearly demarcated stalls, and unencumbered open skies without vertical clearance limitations. This open configuration makes it an exceptional choice not only for standard sedans and compact cars, but also for large four-wheel-drive pickup trucks, full-size SUVs with rooftop ski racks or bike carriers, and high-roof transit vans frequently driven across southwest Montana.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically situated in the heart of MSU’s student life corridor, the North Hedges Parking Lot places visitors within effortless walking distance of premier university, athletic, and cultural destinations:

• North Hedges Hall & South Hedges Hall: Located directly adjacent to the lot, providing instantaneous pedestrian access to both 11-story residence halls (under a 1-minute walk).
• Miller Dining Commons: Positioned just east of the lot, offering one of the campus’s largest all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities (2-minute walk).
• Brick Breeden Fieldhouse: Situated approximately 0.4 miles south, hosting Bobcat basketball games, university commencement ceremonies, concerts, and major trade shows (7-minute walk).
• Bobcat Stadium: Located roughly 0.6 miles southeast, the epicenter of NCAA Division I FCS Bobcat football and game-day tailgating festivities (10- to 12-minute walk).
• Strand Union Building (SUB): Around 0.4 miles northeast, home to student dining, the campus bookstore, conference rooms, and student government facilities (8-minute walk).
• Museum of the Rockies: Situated roughly 1 mile east, a world-renowned Smithsonian affiliate famous for its extensive Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur fossil collection and planetarium (4-minute drive or 20-minute walk).
• Mandeville Creek Trail & Campus Green Spaces: Bordering the lot to the north and east, providing pleasant walking trails and outdoor research stations.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular ingress and egress to the North Hedges Parking Lot is straightforward via Glacier Court, connecting smoothly to South 12th Avenue, West Lincoln Street, and West Garfield Street. Major campus arterials like South 19th Avenue and West Kagy Boulevard allow quick navigation to Interstate 90 (Exit 305) and US-191, providing seamless transit connections toward downtown Bozeman, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), and the Gallatin Canyon toward Big Sky. For eco-conscious commuters and transit riders, the facility is steps away from stops on the free Bozeman Streamline Bus network, offering zero-fare municipal routes connecting the MSU campus directly with Downtown Bozeman, shopping centers along North 7th Avenue, and regional park-and-ride hubs.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous surface lot format with zero overhead height restrictions, accommodating lifted trucks and vehicles with gear boxes.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Clearly marked, van-accessible disability parking stalls located conveniently close to paved residence hall access ramps.
• Digital & Mobile Payment: Integrated into university parking enforcement systems, supporting hourly mobile payments through official parking apps (such as the Passport Parking app) alongside university-issued digital permits.
• License Plate Recognition (LPR): Modern permit verification managed via digital license plate scanning, eliminating paper tickets or physical dashboard hangtags.
• Illumination & Campus Safety: Equipped with overhead LED pole lighting, proximity to university blue-light emergency phones, and regular patrols by the Montana State University Police Department.
• Seasonal Maintenance: Professional snow plowing, de-icing, and winter surface maintenance tailored to Bozeman’s heavy sub-zero winter snowfall.

Ideal For

• On-Campus Residents & Roommates: Students residing at North Hedges, South Hedges, Roskie Hall, and the Headwaters residential complex requiring consistent day and overnight parking.
• Visiting Family & Friends: Parents and weekend visitors checking in on students, assisting during campus move-in periods, or attending family weekend events.
• Athletics & Arena Eventgoers: Fans seeking convenient parking within walking distance of Bobcat basketball games, track meets, and arena concerts at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
• University Visitors & Conference Attendees: Daily guests visiting campus laboratories, student centers, and regional symposia hosted across the western campus.

Visitor & Driver Tips

MSU parking lots, including North Hedges, are actively enforced by Montana State University Parking and Transportation Services. General permit enforcement is typically in effect Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM; select stalls or zones may remain 24-hour reserved or restricted to specific resident permit tiers (such as Bobcat or Bison permits). Visitors paying by the hour should verify lot signage upon entry and initiate their parking session immediately via the designated mobile payment app or campus pay-by-plate system. During major home football Saturdays and special arena events, campus traffic patterns can change, and nearby roads may experience temporary closures; arriving at least 45 minutes prior to game time is highly recommended. Winter drivers should ensure vehicles are equipped with adequate all-weather or winter tires and take note of seasonal overnight snow removal notices to avoid plowing relocations.