Fall semester kicks off at UNLV Aug. 24, and the first few weeks are the busiest time of the year for parking on campus.

The university has added 682 spaces within the past year to serve the growing campus. Here are some parking and transportation tips to help visitors navigate heavy traffic in and around campus and ensure everyone arrives safely and efficiently:

Know before you go. Check out the interactive Google campus map with building and parking lot details to keep up with changes on campus and find out the best place to park. Parking & Transportation Services also has an open space chart to show which lots tend to fill up the fastest.

Arrive early. Plan to arrive well before class time, particularly during the first few weeks of school when campus parking lots will be most crowded.

Be patient. With 682 new spaces spread across campus, and 600 more planned for the next academic year, there are enough parking spaces to accommodate the needs of all. Patience and cooperation are appreciated as the campus begins the new semester.

Park smart. The Thomas & Mack Center lots (access from Tropicana or Swenson), the Cottage Grove parking garage (access from Cottage Grove or Claymont) and the Tropicana parking garage (in the Thomas & Mack Center lot near the Cox Pavilion) have the most available parking spots. The best bet during busy times is to head straight to these areas.

Carpool. Carpooling frees up parking spaces and it’s good for the environment – but it can also save you money. Sign up for the Regional Transportation Commission’s (RTC) Club Ride program with permits easily transferrable between vehicles registered with UNLV Parking Services.

Ride the bus and save. Avoid the hassle of parking altogether by riding the bus. The RTC UNLV Transit Center improves connectivity to public transit at UNLV. It directly links to the RTC’s main transit hub, the Bonneville Transit Center downtown, for connections across the valley. The RTC offers discounted transit passes for UNLV students, faculty and staff for use on all RTC routes.

Charge it. Five charging stations for electric vehicles are available on campus through a partnership with NV Energy. Look for stations at the Cottage Grove parking garage, west of Greenspun Hall, the Tropicana parking garage, and east of the Campus Services Building in the White Lot. Each station can accommodate two vehicles. 

Car sharing. The car sharing service Zipcar is now on campus and gives members access anytime to vehicles parked near Greenspun Hall and the Recreation and Wellness Center. Low hourly and daily rates include gas, insurance, and 180 miles per day to go wherever you want to go. Learn more at zipcar.com/unlv

Electronic message boards will be posted at major entry points to campus during the first week of school. UNLV staff will also assist with traffic flow, directions and pedestrian safety. For more info, visit unlv.edu/parking or call 702-895-1300.