The Minnesota State Fair packs roughly 1.9 million people into 12 days between late August and Labor Day, and the parking crunch around the fairgrounds is where most tow trouble starts. The fairgrounds sit in Falcon Heights, right where Falcon Heights, St. Paul, and the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus meet, so a car towed near the fair might be a Falcon Heights tow, a St. Paul tow, or a private-lot tow. Figure out which one before you go looking.
Why the fair is a towing hot spot
For 12 days the neighborhoods off Snelling Avenue and Como Avenue fill with fairgoers hunting for free parking. Residents put out permit signs and no-parking notices, homeowners rent out driveways, and the streets that are normally quiet get enforced hard. Add the crowds along MN-51 (Snelling) and the I-94 ramps, and a car left in the wrong spot for a full fair day is an easy target.
Park where you are allowed to park
The safe move is the official fair parking lots or the park-and-ride shuttles the fair runs from lots around the metro. Those keep you off the residential blocks entirely. If you do park on a street, read every sign on the block, not just the one nearest your bumper. Permit-only blocks, posted no-parking zones, and blocked-hydrant or blocked-driveway spots all get ticketed and towed during the fair, and a rented driveway is only safe if the homeowner actually controls that space.
Three jurisdictions, three answers
This is the part that trips people up. The fairgrounds are in Falcon Heights, but the parking spills into St. Paul and up against the U’s St. Paul campus. So:
- A car towed from a Falcon Heights street is a Falcon Heights matter, and Falcon Heights sets its own impound arrangement and fee. Call that city.
- A car towed from a St. Paul street follows St. Paul’s rules and goes to a St. Paul lot.
- A car towed from a private lot or a rented yard is a private-property tow under Minnesota Statutes 168B.035, where the charge must be reasonable for the vehicle and the circumstances.
Each suburb sets its own impound fee, so do not assume a Minneapolis or St. Paul number applies in Falcon Heights. Ask the towing city directly.
If your car is already gone
Start by figuring out which street you parked on and which city that block belongs to, because that tells you who to call. If it was a St. Paul street, St. Paul’s regular impound lot is at 830 Barge Channel Rd, phone 651-266-5642. If it was a private lot, the sign at the lot entrance should name the towing company, and Minnesota law requires that private-property charge to be reasonable. For a Falcon Heights or other suburban tow, call that city’s non-emergency line and ask where the vehicle went and what the fee is.
Getting a tow yourself during the fair
Between the crowds, the heat, and the long days, plenty of cars end up dead or stuck near the fairgrounds. Quick Tow Minneapolis is a referral service. We take the call and match you with an independent local operator who works the Twin Cities, and that operator quotes the job before rolling. Tell us where you are and where the car needs to go, and we point you to help.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I park for the State Fair to avoid a tow? Use the official fair lots or a park-and-ride shuttle. If you park on a street, read every sign on the block, because permit-only and posted no-parking blocks are enforced hard during the fair.
Which city do I call if my car is towed near the fairgrounds? It depends on the exact street. The fairgrounds are in Falcon Heights, but parking spills into St. Paul and near the U’s St. Paul campus. Identify the block, then call that city or the private lot’s towing company.
Is a rented driveway safe from towing? Only if the homeowner actually controls that space and it is not blocking a sidewalk, hydrant, or a neighbor’s access. A questionable spot can still be ticketed or towed.
How much will a fair-area tow cost? It depends on who towed it. Each suburb sets its own impound fee, and a private-property tow must be a reasonable charge under Minnesota Statutes 168B.035. Ask the towing city or company for the total before you pay.