Facility Overview

Parking Lot 79 is a premier, expansive open-air surface parking facility situated in the athletic and academic heart of the Michigan State University (MSU) campus in East Lansing, Michigan. Located directly adjacent to the south side of Spartan Stadium at 733 Red Cedar Road, this sprawling lot features wide driving lanes, clear surface stall markings, and dedicated pedestrian walkways. Because it is an outdoor, unobstructed surface lot, there are no overhead structural clearance restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for full-size pickup trucks, large passenger vans, conversion vans, and oversized SUVs with roof racks, alongside standard sedans and compact cars.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 79 boasts an unmatched position for sporting events, campus visits, and academic conferences. Key destinations within immediate walking distance include:

• Spartan Stadium: Located mere footsteps north of the lot, providing the ultimate tailgating and gameday parking experience for Big Ten football fans.
• Breslin Student Events Center: Located approximately a 5 to 7-minute walk west, hosting MSU basketball games, arena concerts, and commencement ceremonies.
• Munn Ice Arena: Situated less than an 8-minute walk away, home to Michigan State Spartan ice hockey.
• Demonstration Hall & Sparty Statue: Just a 3-minute stroll to the historic campus landmark and green spaces.
• Wells Hall & International Center: Approximately a 5-minute walk across Red Cedar Road, convenient for university students, faculty, and academic visitors.
• Red Cedar River & MSU Main Library: A scenic 7 to 10-minute walk through the central campus tree-lined paths.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle ingress and egress are positioned directly off Red Cedar Road and adjacent access spurs near West Shaw Lane and Kalamazoo Street. Given its prime proximity to major athletic venues, traffic control personnel manage entry and outbound flow during major home games and special arena events. Drivers arriving from off-campus enjoy straightforward access via Trowbridge Road connecting from US-127 and Interstate 496 (Olds Freeway). For public transit riders, the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) operates extensive campus loops and city bus services with designated transit stops located along Red Cedar Road and Shaw Lane, providing fast connections to Downtown East Lansing, the MSU Union, and greater Lansing.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Spacious open-air surface parking layout with no overhead vehicle height limitations.
• Digital mobile payment support via ParkMobile and on-site pay-by-plate automated kiosks.
• Dedicated Accessible (ADA) parking spaces conveniently situated near primary venue crosswalks.
• High-illumination light poles and campus emergency blue-light phones throughout the grounds.
• Regular security patrols monitored by Michigan State University Police and Public Safety.
• Direct access to wide paved campus sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks.

Ideal For

• Spartan football tailgaters and fans attending home games at Spartan Stadium.
• Attendees heading to concerts, commencement ceremonies, or athletic matches at the Breslin Center and Munn Ice Arena.
• Prospective students, parents, and campus visitors touring Michigan State University.
• Delegates and visitors attending symposiums, conferences, or lectures at nearby academic halls.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Lot 79 is in high demand year-round. On football Saturdays and select high-profile athletic dates, the lot transforms into permit-only donor parking or event-specific pass parking with special event pricing; drivers attending major events should secure permits in advance through the MSU Athletics ticket office. For everyday campus visits, pay-by-plate parking is enforced during standard university weekday hours—always verify posted signage and enter your correct license plate number into the pay kiosk or ParkMobile app upon arrival. Post-game exit traffic flows toward Kalamazoo Street and Trowbridge Road, so planning your departure route ahead of time will save valuable minutes.