Finding parking for a Clemson football game can be a real challenge. With over 80,000 fans packing into Memorial Stadium, known as “Death Valley,” parking spots are coveted real estate. As a die-hard Clemson fan, you’ll want to find the best parking spot to make getting in and out of the game a breeze. Here’s an in-depth look at the different parking options around Clemson University and Memorial Stadium with pros, cons, and tips to find the best parking for a Clemson football game day.
Off-Campus Parking
Parking off-campus is one of the most popular options for fans. There are several off-campus lots and parking areas surrounding the stadium and campus. Here are some of the key options:
Downtown Clemson Parking
Downtown Clemson has several municipal parking lots that are open to the public on game days. These lots are located within reasonable walking distance, about a 10-15 minute walk, from Memorial Stadium. Some key downtown lots to consider are:
- Hendrix Student Center Parking Lot
- Sloan Street Parking Lot
- Clemson Parking Garage
The advantage of parking downtown is getting dropped off close to restaurants and bars for pre-game activities. The walk also gives you time to take in the atmosphere and energy before arriving at the stadium. The only downside is the lots are not directly next to the stadium so you’ll need to account for the extra walking. These lots are affordable, usually around $20 per car.
Church Parking Lots
Another good option is parking at churches near campus. Many churches rent out spots in their parking lots for Clemson games. Some popular church parking choices include:
- Clemson United Methodist Church
- Clemson Presbyterian Church
- St. Andrews Catholic Church
Parking at local churches puts you closer to the stadium, with about a 5-10 minute walk in most cases. Pricing is very reasonable too, normally $10-20 per car. The one downside is church lots fill up fast so you’ll need to plan ahead.
Private Resident Parking
Many homeowners around Clemson University offer paid parking spots on their property for Tigers home games. This gives you access to parking right in the neighborhoods and yards surrounding campus and the stadium. To find available resident parking, keep an eye out for posted signs when driving near campus. You can also often find resident parking passes sold through online Clemson fan groups and marketplaces. Pricing can vary but expect around $20-40 per car.
The big advantage of resident parking is you can get very close to Memorial Stadium. It puts you right on campus with a quick 5 minute walk to the game. The difficulty is finding available homeowner spots, as these are limited and go fast.
On-Campus Parking
In addition to off-campus parking options, there are several official on-campus parking areas available through Clemson University for football games:
Reserved Campus Parking Lots
For fans willing to pay a premium, you can reserve guaranteed parking spots ahead of time in one of the campus parking lots. These include the Prospectus Lot, Soccer Lot, Softball Lot, and Tennis Center Lot. Parking passes must be purchased online in advance, with prices typically ranging from $40-100 per car depending on proximity to the stadium.
The key benefit is assurance you’ll have a designated parking spot on campus within a short walk to Memorial Stadium. The only real downside, besides the higher cost, is these lots are reserved for donors and require advance planning.
Kite Hill Tailgating Lot
Kite Hill is the designated on-campus tailgate lot located right below the football stadium. This puts you essentially as close as you can get for tailgating and walking to the game. Spots are available on game day for $40 per car on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tailgating on Kite Hill is the ultimate Clemson football experience. You’ll be surrounded by Tigers fans with music, food, drinks, and everything that makes Clemson game days special. The prime location right next to the stadium also can’t be beat.
Commuter Parking Lots
General commuter parking lots on campus are also open for game day parking. Fans can park in commuter lots like the R-1, R-2, and R-3 lots near Memorial Stadium for a flat rate around $20 per car.
These campus commuter lots offer affordable parking that’s centralized and near the football stadium. The main drawback is spots are first-come, so you may end up parking farther back or having to arrive early to get a good space.
RV Parking
For Clemson fans tailgating in RVs or campers, there are designated RV parking areas available both on and off-campus.
Kite Hill RV Lot
The Kite Hill Lot has a separate area just for RV parking, making it the most convenient way to tailgate on campus with an RV. There are 140 spaces available and advance reservations are highly recommended. RV parking is $140 per space.
Tailgating at Kite Hill puts your RV right in the heart of the action. The convenient central location is ideal for Tiger fans who want a premium RV experience.
Campus West Complex
Campus West is an off-campus property that offers RV parking about a 15 minute walk from Memorial Stadium. Parking is $100 per space, with no advance reservations available.
With 160 spaces, Campus West provides a nice RV tailgating option close to campus and the stadium. Just keep in mind spots are first-come on game day so arrive early.
Disabled Parking
For fans requiring handicapped-accessible parking, there are dedicated spots available around campus and the stadium area.
Reserved Disabled Parking
Disabled parking spots can be reserved in advance next to the WestZone at Memorial Stadium. There are 20 paved, spacious spots available on a first-come basis for $150 per space. These spots provide the closest access to the stadium for handicapped accessibility.
ADA General Parking
General disability parking is available in most campus commuter lots and other parking areas. Make sure to look for signage and restrictions in each lot. Pricing is the standard parking rate per car.
While not as close as the reserved disabled spots, the general ADA lots still provide paved, accessible parking within a reasonable distance to Memorial Stadium.
Conclusion
When planning where to park for a Clemson football game, tailgaters and fans have several on and off-campus options to consider. Downtown Clemson, local churches, area neighborhoods, and University parking lots all offer convenient choices. Kite Hill RV Lot, Campus West, and reserved parking areas also accommodate options for RVs and disabled accessibility.
For most fans, off-campus lots provide affordable choices within walking distance that don’t require advance reservations. Kite Hill and the premium campus lots allow you to park closest to the stadium but come at a higher cost or need pre-booking. There is no one-size-fits-all best parking spot, as finding the right Clemson football parking depends on your specific tailgating preferences and budget.
Parking Tips & Information
Keep these tips in mind when planning your parking for a Clemson game:
- Arrive early – Parking lots open 4 hours before kickoff.
- Carpool if you can – Fewer cars means less parking required.
- Check parking signs – Avoid towing or tickets by reading lot restrictions.
- Have cash ready – Most lots are cash only.
- Reserve in advance if possible – For premium campus lots to ensure a spot.
- Travel light – You’ll likely have a bit of a walk so pack accordingly.
- Watch for pedestrians – Roads get busy on game days so drive slowly.
- Have a backup plan – In case your #1 lot fills up, know other options nearby.
Clemson Football Parking Map
This map shows the main football game day parking lots and areas around Memorial Stadium and downtown Clemson:
Parking Lot | Approx. Walk to Stadium | Parking Features |
---|---|---|
Kite Hill Lot | 1-5 mins | Tailgating, RVs |
Soccer Lot | 5-10 mins | Reserved |
R1 | 10 mins | Commuter |
R2 | 15 mins | Commuter |
R3 | 10 mins | Commuter |
Downtown Clemson | 10-15 mins | Municipal lots |
This parking overview shows where each lot is in relation to Clemson Memorial Stadium so you can find the most convenient game day parking.
Parking Rates & Costs
Here is an overview of typical parking rates and costs for Clemson football games:
Parking Location | Parking Rate |
---|---|
Kite Hill Tailgate Lot | $40 car | $140 RV |
Reserved Campus Lots | $40-100 car |
Campus Commuter Lots | $20 car |
Downtown Clemson | $10-20 car |
Church Parking | $10-20 car |
Private Resident Lots | $20-40 car |
Disabled Parking | $150 reserved | Standard rate for non-reserved |
Parking costs vary widely based on proximity to the stadium, amenities like tailgating, and if spots are reserved in advance. On average most general parking options fall between $20-40 per car.
Getting to the Stadium
Clemson Memorial Stadium is located inside Clemson University’s campus. The address is:
Memorial Stadium
560 Centennial Blvd, Clemson, SC 29634
No matter where you park, getting into the stadium on game day is always an exciting experience. Walking down Williamson Road you’ll see streams of fans decked out in orange and purple. The Tiger Paw flags waving in the distance let you know you’re getting close. Crossing Lake Hartwell on your way to campus, you’ll hear the rumble of the crowd as you pass rows of tailgates blasting Tiger Rag. Once inside, you can feel the energy immediately start to build as you walk down the Hill from the top of the stadium into the bowl overlooking that gorgeous green field.
Finding the right parking for a Clemson game takes some planning, but is worth it to get the most out of your tailgating and game day experience. So find your perfect spot, soak in the spirit of Clemson football Saturdays, and cheer on those Tigers in Death Valley!