About this Location

Facility Overview

Zone 2 Lot 12 is a dedicated open-air university campus surface parking facility located along Bobby K Marks Drive at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville, Texas. Centered in the vibrant heart of the university district, the lot features clearly delineated standard parking bays, paved asphalt driving aisles, and immediate pedestrian sidewalk connections to surrounding collegiate and athletic facilities. Because this is a ground-level, uncovered outdoor surface lot, there are no overhead clearance beam limits, making it exceptionally accessible for standard passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and service vans that often struggle with the vertical restrictions of multi-story parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly on the main campus of Sam Houston State University, Zone 2 Lot 12 provides an unbeatable location for students, university faculty, campus visitors, and Bearkat sports spectators. Prominent destinations within brief walking distance include:

Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum: SHSU\'s primary indoor arena hosting Bearkat basketball, volleyball, graduation commencement ceremonies, and regional concerts, located just steps away.
Bowers Stadium: The home stadium for Bearkat Football and track & field events, situated within a convenient 5-to-8-minute walk.
Don Sanders Stadium & Bearkat Softball Complex: Accessible within minutes for collegiate baseball and softball matches.
Lowman Student Center (LSC): The central social hub of campus offering dining options, the university bookstore, and meeting halls, located within a 6-to-10-minute walk.
Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Republic of Texas Grounds: Located roughly 10 minutes to the northwest, showcasing historic homesteads and Texas heritage parklands.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Zone 2 Lot 12 is straightforward via Bobby K Marks Drive, a primary north-south campus corridor that intersects with Bearkat Boulevard, 17th Street, and Bowers Boulevard. Drivers arriving from outside Huntsville can seamlessly reach the lot from Interstate 45 via Texas State Highway 30 (11th Street) or Texas State Highway 19, taking local arterials directly into the campus perimeter. Campus transit shuttles operate frequent circulator routes along Bobby K Marks Drive and Bowers Boulevard during academic semesters, offering rapid connections across upper and lower campus. After major athletic showdowns or large commencement events at Johnson Coliseum, traffic personnel frequently assist in guiding departing vehicles toward major avenues to minimize congestion.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor footprint with no low-clearance ceiling constraints.
Digital & Mobile Parking Management: Mobile session management through the campus-supported ParkMobile app or university parking portal permits.
ADA Accessible Parking: Designated accessible parking stalls conveniently positioned near pedestrian walkways.
Lighting & Campus Safety: Illuminated by campus area lighting and monitored regularly by Sam Houston State University Police Department (UPD) patrols and emergency call stations.
Direct Sidewalk Access: Direct curb ramps and paved sidewalks connecting directly into campus academic and athletic complexes.

Ideal For

Athletic Event Attendees: Bearkat fans heading to basketball games, volleyball tournaments, and collegiate athletic events at Johnson Coliseum and Bowers Stadium.
Commuter Students & University Faculty: Valid SHSU Zone 2 permit holders navigating their daily academic schedules.
Campus Guests & Event Visitors: Individuals attending commencement ceremonies, campus tours, guest lectures, and student conferences.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During regular university operational hours (typically Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM), SHSU parking regulations are rigorously enforced. Visitors must register their vehicle via ParkMobile or purchase an authorized visitor e-permit through the SHSU Parking Services portal prior to parking. For high-volume events such as graduation or rivalry football and basketball games, early arrival is strongly advised as athletic parking attendants may convert select campus lots to dedicated event or donor parking.