About this Location

Facility Overview

Zone 2, Lot 5 is a centrally positioned open-air surface parking lot situated on Bobby K Marks Drive directly within the vibrant campus of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville, Texas. Designed primarily to serve university students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors, the lot offers a level, paved asphalt layout with clearly painted stall demarcations and two-way driving aisles. Because it is an open-sky outdoor facility, there are no vertical clearance height restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for oversized vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, lifted SUVs, work utility vans, and vehicles with rooftop carriers or bike racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Set right in the academic and administrative core of Sam Houston State University, this lot provides immediate pedestrian access to several key educational facilities, event venues, and historic landmarks:

Lowman Student Center (LSC): Located just a brief 3 to 5-minute walk away, serving as the central hub for campus dining, student organizations, ballrooms, and recreational spaces.
Newton Gresham Library: A short 4-minute walk to the university’s premier research, study, and digital archive facility.
George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center: Within a convenient 5 to 7-minute stroll, home to SHSU’s nationally recognized College of Criminal Justice.
Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum: Accessible in approximately 8 to 10 minutes on foot, hosting NCAA Division I Bearkat basketball games, commencement ceremonies, and university concerts.
Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Grounds: Just west of the central campus (under a 10-minute walk), offering beautiful park grounds, walking trails, and exhibits chronicling Texas history.
Bowers Stadium: Located a short drive or moderate walk southeast, home to Bearkat football and major outdoor athletic meets.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Zone 2, Lot 5 is directly accessible via Bobby K Marks Drive, a primary north-south campus corridor that connects seamlessly to 16th Street, 20th Street, and Sam Houston Avenue (TX-75). Regional travelers can quickly reach the facility from Interstate 45 via Highway 30 (11th Street) or Avenue I / Highway 190. Campus transit connectivity is exceptional; the Bearkat Shuttle stops along adjacent campus routes throughout the academic semester, facilitating hassle-free movement to residential halls and peripheral campus lots. Exiting onto Bobby K Marks Drive is straightforward, though drivers should exercise extra caution during class-change intervals when pedestrian crosswalk traffic peaks.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Level, grade-level asphalt parking with generous turning radiuses and no overhead beam height barriers.
Designated Accessibility: Features clearly marked ADA-compliant accessible spaces located close to primary campus sidewalk ramps.
Campus Security & Illumination: Monitored by the Sam Houston State University Police Department (UPD) and illuminated by campus exterior overhead pole lighting throughout the evening.
Mobile Payment Integration: Visitors can utilize digital permit applications such as ParkMobile or purchase temporary daily guest passes through the university parking portal.
Pedestrian Connectivity: Directly connected to wide, paved, well-lit campus sidewalks leading to academic halls and campus amenities.

Ideal For

SHSU Students & Commuters: Permit holders attending lectures, labs, and study sessions across central campus buildings.
University Faculty & Staff: University employees seeking close proximity to academic offices and administrative centers.
Campus Visitors & Guest Lecturers: Attendees for campus tours, guest symposiums, thesis defenses, and department meetings.
Coliseum & Campus Event Attendees: Convenient parking option during evening theater performances, lecture series, and indoor sports matches.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Enforcement hours strictly follow Sam Houston State University parking regulations, typically enforced on weekdays between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Visitors must display an appropriate permit or purchase timed hourly/daily parking through the designated mobile app (such as ParkMobile) or the SHSU Parking Services portal before leaving their vehicle. Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before class periods or scheduled events to account for pedestrian volume along Bobby K Marks Drive. During football game days at Bowers Stadium or major university commencement weekends, special event parking rules and zone closures may apply.