About this Location

Facility Overview

UW-RF Parking Lot K is a dedicated surface parking facility located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in River Falls, Wisconsin. Situated primarily as a residential permit facility on the western edge of the university grounds, near Stratton Hall and Spruce Street, Lot K features an open-air, flat asphalt layout with clearly marked stalls and driving lanes. Because it is a grade-level surface lot without overhead barriers, height restrictor bars, or ceiling beams, it accommodates standard passenger cars, minivans, crossover vehicles, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and high-roof conversion vans without clearance limitations. The straightforward layout allows for simple maneuvering and parking, making it an essential hub for on-campus residents and campus visitors.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned directly adjacent to key student housing and campus amenities, Lot K provides fast and walkable access to several central university facilities and downtown River Falls attractions:

Stratton Hall & West Campus Residence Halls: Immediate access (less than a 1-to-2 minute walk), offering unmatched convenience for residents loading, unloading, or keeping vehicles on campus.
Falcon Center for Health, Education and Wellness: Located just a 5-to-7 minute walk away, housing Hunt Arena (home of Falcon ice hockey), the Knowles Field House, Page Arena, and state-of-the-art recreation spaces.
University Center & Chalmer Davee Library: Within a 5-to-8 minute walk across the campus mall, offering student dining, bookstore access, campus meeting spaces, and academic research hubs.
David Rodli Hall & Kleinpell Fine Arts: Approximately 6 to 10 minutes on foot, making the lot convenient for classes, gallery exhibits, and musical performances.
Historic Downtown River Falls: Located only a 10-to-15 minute walk (or 3-minute drive) north, featuring local dining, coffee shops, boutiques, and Kinnickinnic River trailheads.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Parking Lot K is straightforward via South Main Street (WI-35/WI-65) connecting into Cascade Avenue and Spruce Street on the west side of campus. Ingress and egress are smooth, with dedicated curb cuts that prevent traffic backups during standard class changes. Motorists arriving via Interstate 94 from the Twin Cities or Eau Claire can take Highway 35 South or Highway 65 South directly into River Falls, arriving at the campus perimeter in roughly 10 to 15 minutes. For local public transit, the City of River Falls and campus transit partners offer shared-ride taxi services and regional shuttle connections, while campus pedestrian pathways provide direct, lighted connections to academic buildings and athletic complexes.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Spacious Open-Air Parking: Level asphalt surface with open headroom, easily accommodating tall passenger vehicles, rooftop luggage racks, and cargo carriers.
Virtual Permitting by License Plate: Integrated with UW-River Falls Parking Services' virtual permit system; no physical permit hangtags required once license plates are registered.
ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces located near accessible walkways for individuals displaying state-issued disability placards or campus disability permits.
Campus Security & Lighting: Equipped with overhead campus lighting and routinely monitored by UW-River Falls Campus Police and Parking Enforcement personnel.
Winter Maintenance: Regularly plowed and salted by campus facilities during winter snow emergencies (subject to posted campus snow-clearing rules).

Ideal For

Stratton Hall & Campus Residents: Students holding designated residential academic-year parking permits needing dependable vehicle parking steps from their dorm rooms.
Falcon Athletics & Event Visitors: Convenient satellite parking during major athletic tournaments, hockey games at Hunt Arena, and field events at the Falcon Center.
Weekend Campus Guests: Friends and family visiting residence hall students during open weekend hours and authorized visitor parking windows.
Summer Conference & Camp Attendees: Guests utilizing campus housing facilities for academic seminars, youth sports camps, or university workshops.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking regulations on the UW-River Falls campus are strictly enforced by University Parking Services. During weekday academic operational hours (Monday through Friday), Parking Lot K requires an active residential 'K' parking permit or an authorized temporary campus permit. If Lot K reaches capacity, permit holders are designated to park in alternate overflow lots, such as the PAY3 facility south of the Falcon Center. Campus visitors without residential permits should verify weekend enforcement schedules—as certain permit regulations relax from Friday evening through Sunday evening—or purchase hourly/daily visitor parking via campus pay stations and MobilePay in designated visitor lots (PAY1, PAY2, or PAY3). During winter months, pay close attention to UWRF snow emergency announcements, which require vehicle relocation to facilitate municipal and campus snow removal.