The UTSA Parking Survival Guide
Parking on campus during the first two weeks of the semester is absolute chaos. With an influx of new students who don’t yet know where to park, or when certain lots are full, things get messy fast. To make matters worse, parking enforcement is not active during this period, turning the lots into a lawless free-for-all. If you’d rather skip the frustration (and the 15-minute parking safari), here’s your guide to the best places to park, and the times you’re most likely to find an open spot
The Best Parking Spot
Close, convenient, and always full.
From right to left, the Brackenridge, Ximenes, and Bauerle lots are among the best places to park on campus, offering convenient access to the campus core. However, they fill up quickly, and stay that way for most of the day. If you’re aiming for one of these spots, plan to arrive before 8:30 AM. After 9:00 AM, your chances drop dramatically, and you're likely out of luck until late afternoon.
That said, there's a small window of opportunity: around lunchtime, some students leave campus to grab food, freeing up a few precious spots. If you're lucky, and quick, you might just snag one on their way out.
The Next Best Thing
Not as perfect, but still a win if you get it.
The Barshop lots are out of the way and only fill up after the Prime locations get full. If you arrive to campus after 9 am, these are the lots you should go for. On cooler days, the walk to the main campus isn’t too bad, it’s even a nice way to get your steps in. And on hotter days, you can always hop on the UTSA Runner shuttle to hitch a ride to campus instead. Just hope it’s not full by the time it gets to you.
The Lots That Never Fail
There’s always space… because it’s far or you have to pay for it.
If you want to come to campus without the daily stress of hunting for a spot, your safest bet is the East Lots or the West Brackenridge Lot. These are almost never full, mainly because they’re far from the heart of campus. But don’t worry: each is served by the UTSA Runner, a shuttle system that loops between the outer lots and main campus. Just be prepared for a wait, shuttles can take up to 15 minutes to arrive, so plan accordingly.
If you'd rather park closer and don’t mind spending a little extra, the campus garages are an option. Whether you’ve upgraded your parking permit or are paying hourly, garages offer convenience, but a word of advice: don’t lose your ticket and don’t try to tailgate someone out unless you’re ready to explain yourself to Parking Services.
Looks Like Parking, Isn’t Parking
Resident-only zones where cars to nap for the semester.
Students who live on campus and bring a car are required to purchase a resident parking pass, which grants access to specific lots reserved for residents only. These lots are typically full both day and night, Monday through Friday, since most cars are parked long-term. Commuter students are not allowed to park in these areas, and doing so will almost certainly earn you a $50 parking ticket. So unless you’re feeling generous with your wallet, it’s best not to risk it.
