DES MOINES, Iowa — We’re less than a month away from the start of the 2026 Iowa State Fair, and to help you prepare for your visit, officials are sharing where you can park for free.
The Des Moines Regional Transit Authority (DART) is once again providing Park & Ride service for the fair. At two locations in Des Moines, you can park for free and pay up to a $3 fee per person to ride a DART bus to the fairgrounds. The two locations are:
- 7th and Center Street Parking Garage, 830 7th Street, just south of I-235
- Iowa State Capitol, in front of the east parking lot.
“We are excited to continue offering a safe, affordable and convenient travel option to the Iowa State Fair,” Luis Montoya, DART deputy CEO and chief operating officer, said. “Our strong partnership with the Iowa State Fair makes accessing this signature event possible for tens of thousands of fairgoers who don’t have to worry about parking or walking a long distance.”
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DART’s Park & Ride service operates from 8 a.m. until midnight each day of the fair. On the final night, however, service will end sooner as the fair closes around 9 p.m. Riders will be dropped off at Gate 10 on the west side of the fairgrounds. To learn more about the service, visit DART’s website.
In the past, DART has offered three Park & Ride locations with the third being at Southeast Polk High School. However, that service won’t return this year as the City of Pleasant Hill ended its agreement with DART…