Facility Overview

University of Utah Tailgate Parking Lot 63, situated at 595 Guardsman Way in Salt Lake City, is one of the premier outdoor university event and campus parking grounds on the eastern bench of Salt Lake City. Operating as an extensive open-air surface facility, Lot 63 serves dual roles: on weekdays it accommodates University of Utah students, faculty, and campus visitors, while during collegiate sports seasons it transforms into the heart and soul of Utah Utes football game-day tailgating. Because this lot is completely open to the sky without parking deck decks or overhead barriers, it boasts virtually unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it extraordinarily accommodating for high-profile vehicles, lifted four-wheel-drive trucks, full-size SUVs, tailgating trailers, vans, and oversized spectator rigs that cannot enter standard municipal parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 63 is strategically anchored on the historic Fort Douglas boundary and the lower east edge of the University of Utah campus, placing visitors within immediate reach of top academic, athletic, and community venues:

• Rice-Eccles Stadium: Located approximately 0.6 miles to the northwest (a scenic 10- to 15-minute walk along 500 South), making it the primary hub for Utes football fans, major stadium concerts, and university commencement ceremonies.
• Spence Eccles Field House & Ute Soccer Field: Directly adjacent to the facility, serving student-athletes and hosting collegiate athletic training and track meets.
• Salt Lake City Sports Complex & Steiner Aquatic Center: Just steps to the south, home to twin Olympic ice rinks, community pools, and fitness programs.
• Sunnyside Park: Located right across Guardsman Way, offering open green spaces, tennis courts, and walking paths.
• Hogle Zoo & This Is The Place Heritage Park: Situated approximately 1.5 miles east along Sunnyside Avenue at the mouth of Emigration Canyon.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Entering and exiting Lot 63 is straightforward via Guardsman Way, which connects seamlessly to 500 South to the north and Sunnyside Avenue (800 South) to the south. Drivers arriving from Interstate 80 can take the Foothill Drive (US-186) exit and transition to Sunnyside Avenue and Guardsman Way within minutes. Motorists coming from Downtown Salt Lake City can follow 400 South / 500 South straight up toward campus. Public transit users are well connected: the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) TRAX Red Line runs nearby via the Stadium Station and Fort Douglas Station, offering direct rail transit to Downtown Salt Lake City and the broader Wasatch Front. Local UTA bus routes also service stops directly along Guardsman Way and 500 South.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Expansive Open-Air Bays: Wide driving aisles and painted standard stalls suited for sedans, large utility trucks, and permissible tailgating setups.
• Unrestricted Clearance: Zero overhead restrictions, accommodating roof boxes, antennas, cargo racks, and oversized recreational vehicles.
• Campus Enforcement & Payment: Integrated with University of Utah Commuter Services, utilizing electronic license plate recognition, digital pay-by-phone apps, and on-site automated kiosks.
• ADA Accessibility: Designated accessible parking stalls situated adjacent to flat pedestrian walkways with compliant curb cuts.
• Lighting & Campus Security: Well-illuminated at night and regularly patrolled by University of Utah Department of Public Safety and campus security vehicles.

Ideal For

• Game-Day Tailgaters: Fans seeking an electric, community-driven pregame atmosphere for Utah Utes home football games.
• Athletic Event Visitors: Patrons attending competitions at the Spence Eccles Field House, Ute Soccer Field, or the Salt Lake City Sports Complex.
• University Commuters: Students, researchers, and campus staff possessing valid \'U\' or \'A\' university parking permits on non-game weekdays.
• Concert & Stadium Attendees: Drivers who prefer an open surface lot with an easy walk down 500 South rather than congested stadium core decks.

Visitor & Driver Tips

On Utah Utes football home game days, Lot 63 operates under strict special-event tailgating regulations. Tailgate passes typically sell out months in advance through the Utah Athletics Ticket Office; vehicles without pre-purchased tailgating permits are barred from entry on game mornings. For regular weekday academic parking, always check posted signage and verify operating hours, as digital parking permits or hourly sessions must be activated through the campus parking portal or mobile app. When leaving after high-profile stadium events, expect heavy pedestrian traffic and police-controlled outbound directional flow along Guardsman Way and 500 South.