Parking tips for St. Cloud State Huskies Hockey vs. Miami of Ohio Redhawks Hockey at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center (St. Cloud, MN 01/30)

hey everyone, figured i'd share some tips for the huskies vs redhawks game on 01/30. it's going to be cold and the parking around the herb brooks national hockey center is honestly a beast if you don't have a solid plan. expect some traffic gridlock, especially getting out onto 4th ave s after the game.

first thing's first, your absolute best bet to skip the main lot gridlock and save some cash is to check out Prked. this is the real insider move i use. it's an app where people who live right next to the arena in the residential areas rent out their driveways or garages for the game. it's way cheaper than the campus lots sometimes, and you can basically jump out of your car and walk right up to the front door, avoiding all the university-controlled traffic lanes entirely.

if you're set on parking on campus, here's the breakdown. the lot directly south of the arena, often called k-lot, is pre-paid parking only. you absolutely have to buy a pass in advance online or by calling the ticket office- don't show up expecting to pay cash, you'll get turned away and mess up traffic for everyone else. your other official option is the husky pay lot, which is on the east side of the facility next to the practice rink. this one is paid hourly, so it's a good alternative if k-lot is sold out. to get to these lots, scsu suggests driving south on fifth avenue past university drive, and the best lots will be on your left.

for a cheaper hack, especially since the game is on a friday (01/30), look a little further south and east on campus. non-permit holders can park for free after 4:30 pm in lots like c lot or v lot. it's a slightly longer, colder walk, but it's free. do not waste time looking for the old gravel lot area southeast of the hbnc, it's permanently closed. the nearest public city lots are the 12th street-3rd avenue metered t lot and the 9th street-4th avenue pay lot.

timing is everything- the official guidance says to allow for an earlier arrival time, at least an hour before the game starts. the lots usually open two and a half hours before puck drop. also, a huge warning about the post-game exit. scsu public safety and the police enforce a specific egress plan. if you exit the west gate onto 4th ave s, you must turn right and head north toward university drive. if you exit onto 4th ave s from 15th street s, you must turn left and head south toward clearwater rd. they enforce this pretty strictly to keep things moving.

finally, remember the winter parking restrictions are in effect (nov 1 through april 1). if you park on the street in the surrounding neighborhood, be super mindful of signs. the university area has special signs that prohibit parking between 1:00 am and 7:00 am. and always check for a snow emergency declaration before the game, because if one is called, you'll get towed immediately.

hope this helps everyone find a good, warm spot for the game. go huskies.