About this Location

Facility Overview

The DAS Yellow Lot (officially cataloged as State Parking Yellow Lot 641) is a prime open-air public and employee surface parking facility managed by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Located at 860 Marion St NE at the northern edge of Salem's Capitol Mall district, this facility occupies an entire city block bounded by Marion Street NE, Winter Street NE, Summer Street NE, and Center Street NE. Featuring modern paved surfaces, clear painted stall markings, energy-efficient LED luminaire pole lighting, and convenient walkways, the lot provides safe and seamless access for everyday commuters and weekend travelers alike.

Because the Yellow Lot is an expansive, open-air flat surface parking facility, it features no vertical clearance restrictions or low overhead clearances. This open design makes it exceptionally well-suited for high-profile vehicles, including full-size pickup trucks (such as Ford F-150s and Super Duty models), large SUVs, commercial cargo vans, high-roof camper vans, and passenger vehicles with roof racks or cargo carriers that cannot fit into standard downtown Salem parkades.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly north of the Capitol Mall complex, the Yellow Lot is one of the most strategically placed parking venues in the heart of Oregon's capital city. Drivers are within effortless walking distance of major government buildings, cultural institutions, and downtown entertainment destinations:

Oregon State Capitol & Capitol Mall: Located approximately 3 to 4 blocks directly south (a 5 to 7-minute walk), making it a top parking spot for legislative sessions, civic rallies, public hearings, and Capitol tours.
State Government Complex: Directly adjacent to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, Oregon State Archives, State Library of Oregon, and the Barbara Roberts Human Services Building.
Salem Saturday Market: Positioned directly across Marion Street NE, serving as a primary and highly popular parking destination for weekend visitors seeking fresh farm produce, artisan crafts, and food trucks.
Willson Park & Capitol Mall Heritage Park: Just a 5-minute stroll south, offering scenic green pathways, fountains, and picnic grounds.
Downtown Salem & Salem Center: Located 6 blocks southwest (an 8 to 10-minute walk), providing quick access to boutique shops, local breweries, eateries along Court Street, and the historic Elsinore Theatre.
Willamette University: Situated roughly 0.6 miles south (a 12 to 14-minute walk), ideal for campus visits, sports events, and commencement activities.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward and optimized for steady traffic movement. Drivers can easily access the lot via entrances on Marion Street NE and Center Street NE, both of which serve as major east-west thoroughfares linking downtown Salem to Interstate 5. North-south approaches along Summer Street NE and Winter Street NE provide smooth arterial connections to northern neighborhoods and the Marion Street bridge across the Willamette River into West Salem.

Public transit connectivity is exceptional. The facility is situated just five blocks from the Cherriots Downtown Transit Center (Courthouse Square), where riders can connect to dozens of local and regional bus lines spanning Marion and Polk counties. Regional travelers can also easily connect to interstate bus routes and the Salem Amtrak station located roughly one mile south.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous driving lanes and perpendicular stalls allow easy maneuvering, parking, and egress for vehicles of all sizes.
EV Charging Infrastructure: Equipped with dedicated Level 2 ChargePoint electric vehicle charging ports on-site for convenient plug-in vehicle recharging.
Automated Park-and-Pay Kiosks: On-site electronic pay stations accept Visa and MasterCard credit/debit cards with fast license plate recognition entry.
Mobile App Payment: Drivers can pay remotely using state-supported MobilePay platforms without waiting in line at physical pay boxes.
ADA Accessible Parking: Designated ADA accessible stalls are clearly marked and located conveniently near accessible sidewalk curb cuts and pedestrian pathways.
Safety & Illumination: Comprehensive LED area pole lighting across the entire lot ensures visibility, personal safety, and clear vision during evening and early morning hours.

Ideal For

State Employees & Government Visitors: The premier low-cost parking solution for staff, contractors, and citizens attending meetings at state agency offices across the Capitol Mall.
Capitol Visitors & School Groups: Convenient all-day staging ground for families, tourists, and student groups touring the Oregon State Capitol and State Library.
Salem Saturday Market Shoppers: Perfectly situated parking directly across the street from Salem's premier weekly community market.
Downtown Diners & Shoppers: A stress-free alternative to congested downtown core street meters and tight multi-level parking garages.
High-Profile Vehicles: Truck owners, utility van drivers, and trade professionals needing generous headroom and open clearance.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When planning your visit to the Yellow Lot, keep the following helpful recommendations in mind:

Payment Enforcement: Daily permits and meter fees are actively enforced by DAS Parking Services during standard business hours on weekdays. Always ensure your license plate is entered accurately into the pay kiosk or MobilePay system.
Arrive Early During Legislative Sessions: On days when the Oregon Legislature is in active session or when large civic gatherings take place on the Capitol Mall, the lot fills up quickly. Arrive prior to 8:30 AM to guarantee a spot.
Weekend Market Parking: On Saturdays during the Salem Saturday Market season, traffic along Marion and Summer streets is heavy; approach via Center Street for faster lot access.
Leave Valuables Out of Sight: As with any open downtown public lot, lock your doors, close windows completely, and keep all personal belongings out of visible view.