Accessible parking at the NC State Fair is in one main place: the paved lot near Gate 10. This guide covers where it is, what happens when it fills, how drop-off works and where to go once you are parked. Everything here comes from the Fair's own pages for the 2026 Fair. For 2027, check the official N.C. State Fair site before you go, since lots and gates can change.
Where the accessible lot is
At the 2026 Fair, visitors with handicap permits were asked to park in the paved lot at the corner of Blue Ridge Road and Trinity Road. That lot sits near Gate 10 of the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
Key points from the Fair's Accessibility Guide:
- The lot has more than 100 spaces set aside for visitors with disabilities.
- A valid handicap permit is required to park there.
- Cars in these spaces must show a valid permit, sticker or plate at all times.
- Visitors in this lot enter the Fair through Gates 9 and 10.
The Fairgrounds address is 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. On the Fair's Senior Day page, the Fair also noted that you reach the accessible lot from Trinity Road.
When the Gate 10 lot fills
The Gate 10 lot is first come, first served. The Fair says that once those spaces are full, drivers with valid handicap permits are directed to overflow handicap parking at Carter-Finley Stadium. The 2026 Senior Day page named the stadium's Gate A for that overflow.
Carter-Finley Stadium sits across Trinity Road from the Fairgrounds. If you are sent there, follow the parking staff. The Fair can move parking from day to day, and the officers on the road have the current picture.
Drop-off near Gate 10 and Gate 1
You do not need to park to drop someone off. The Fair's guide says buses and vehicles may unload passengers with disabilities in the paved lot near Gate 10. The vehicle may only park there if it shows a valid permit and a space is free.
How to do it:
- Drive toward the Gate 10 lot at Blue Ridge Road and Trinity Road.
- Tell a traffic patrol officer you only plan to drop off a passenger with a disability.
- Unload, then park in a general lot or leave.
The Fair also lists Gate 1 as a drop-off option. Gate 1 is on Hillsborough Street near Blue Ridge Road. It is also where the GoRaleigh and GoDurham buses stop. Our guide to getting to the NC Fairgrounds covers those options.
Is parking free?
The Fair says parking is free on State Fair and Carter-Finley Football Stadium property. At the 2026 Fair, Lenovo Center parking was also free on most days, with paid parking there on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Neighbors near the Fairgrounds often turn yards into small paid lots. The Fair says it does not control those lots. If a handicap space matters to you, the Fair's own Gate 10 lot is the one built for it.
Where to go once you park
Gate 10 is the closest entrance to the accessible lot. Gate 9 is also listed for visitors parked there.
At the 2026 Fair, our main rental tent was just inside the ticket booths at Gate 10, beside the accessible parking off Trinity Road. We also had staffed tents at Gates 1, 8 and 9. Our rental tent map shows each gate on one page, and you can print it.
If you plan to rent a mobility scooter or push wheelchair, our State Fair page and pickup guide explain what to bring and when it is due back. At the 2026 Fair, that meant a driver's license or federal ID, with a return 30 minutes before the Fair closed that night.
A note on the tram
The Fair runs an inner perimeter tram inside the gates for a fee. In 2026 it stopped at Gate 1, Gate 10, Dorton Arena and Gate 8. The Fair states that neither the interior nor exterior tram service is wheelchair accessible. Plan your route around that if you use a wheelchair.
Tips for a smoother arrival
- Hang your permit before you reach the lot, so staff can wave you in.
- Come early on busy days. The Gate 10 lot fills on a first come basis.
- Bring a clear bag if you can. The Fair runs a faster line for clear bags at each gate.
- Medications are allowed through security, per the Fair's bag rules.
- Save our number in your phone: (919) 533-8846. If you need help finding our tent, call us.
Plan for 2027
Lot names, gates and overflow plans can change between Fair years. Before you go in 2027, read the Fair's Getting Here and Parking page and its Accessibility Guide. We update our State Fair page once the 2027 rental details are set. You can sign up there for first notice, or ask us a question any time.