The Parking Gist
On Thursday and Friday, parking is available at Theodore Wirth Park for sprinters. See below for which lots are available.
On Saturday and Sunday, racers starting at Bde Maka Ska are responsible for getting to the start line on their own. Their best option is to be dropped off at the Bde Maka Ska North Beach parking lot (2710 W Lake St, Minneapolis), or park in the Calhoun Executive Center lot (3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Minneapolis) or in the public lots and neighborhoods nearby. A shuttle (operating 11:00am – 5:00pm) will bring racers from the finish back to the Calhoun Executive Center after their races.
On Saturday and Sunday, racers, event participants, and spectators coming to Theodore Wirth Park should park at the Mortenson Construction Lots (700 Meadow Lane and 4100 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley). Individuals may either walk to and from Theodore Wirth Park (a short walk) or take our Mortenson – Trailhead Shuttle (operating 10:00am – 5:00pm).
Saturday Luminary Loppet participants should park in the neighborhoods and public lots surrounding Lake of the Isles, bike, or take Metro Transit busses. See below for a free Metro Transit pass for Luminarians.
There is no shuttle bus transportation for bikes or dogs. Point-to-point bikers can arrange for separate pick-up or can take the shuttle back to the Executive Center, pick up a vehicle, then proceed back to Wirth Park for their bike. Skijorers have been sent a pass for parking at Theodore Wirth with their dogs.
Thursday & Friday
Road Closures
- None
Parking
At Theodore Wirth Park
- Trailhead Small North Lot: No participant parking (venue preparation)
- Trailhead Large South Lot: Limited participant parking available
- Chalet Lot: Participant parking available
- Overflow Lot: Participant parking available
- Mortenson Construction Lot: Participant parking available after 5:00pm (walking distance to Theodore Wirth Trailhead)
Shuttle Bus
- None
Carpool Drop Off/Pick Up
At Theodore Wirth Park
- Chalet Lot Drop Off Zone: Available for participant drop off/pick up.
- Other Locations: No drop off/pick up anywhere but the Chalet Lot Drop Off Zone (no drop off near the Trailhead)
Saturday
Road Closures
- Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy (approx 8:00am-2:00pm)
- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood (approx 8:00am-2:00pm)
Parking
At Bde Maka Ska (Start of Point to Point Races)
- North Beach Parking Lot: No participant parking (volunteer parking only)
- Calhoun Executive Center: Participant parking available (exclusively for Loppet Festival participants)
- There is also signifcant nearby neighborhood and general lot parking.
At Theodore Wirth Park
- Mortenson Construction Lot: Participant parking available. Mortenson is walking distance to the festival and has ongoing shuttle service to the Trailhead (see below).
- Participant parking available on street in nearby neighborhoods.
- There is no racer/participant parking at any Theodore Wirth Park Parking Lots.
- Many Luminarians park on the streets around Lake of the Isles and in parking ramps in Uptown.
- MetroTransit, a sponsor of the Loppet Festival, provides free bus rides to Luminarians. Visit metrotransit.org for information on bus service to the Uptown area. Download your pass here.
- Many Luminarians also bike to the event
- Get more Luminary information here.
Shuttle Bus
- Trailhead Bus Turnaround to and from Calhoun Executive Center, 11:00am-5:00pm.
- Trailhead Bus Turnaround to and from Mortenson Construction Lot, 10:00am-5:00pm.
- As there is an abundance of local parking, there is no shuttle service to bring racers to the beginning of any Point-to-Point races.
- The shuttle cannot accommodate dogs; skijorers must make independent arrangements.
Carpool Drop off/Pick up
At Bde Maka Ska (Start of Point to Point Races)
- North Beach Parking Lot: Available for participant drop off/pick up.
At Theodore Wirth Park
- There is no carpool drop off or pick up at Theodore Wirth Park. Please park in the Mortenson Construction Lot and either walk or take the shuttle to the Trailhead.
Point to Point Racer Bag Transfer
- Bag Drop: North Beach Parking Lot, 8:00am-11:00am
- Bag Claim: Trailhead Little North Lot, 10:00am-2:00pm
Sunday
Road Closures
- Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy (approx 8:00am-2:00pm)
- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood (approx 8:00am-2:00pm)
Parking
At Bde Maka Ska (Start of Point to Point Races)
- North Beach Parking Lot: No participant parking (volunteer parking only)
- Calhoun Executive Center: Participant parking available (exclusively for Loppet Festival participants)
- There is also signifcant nearby neighborhood and general lot parking.
At Theodore Wirth Park
- Mortenson Construction Lot: Participant parking available. Mortenson is walking distance to the festival and has ongoing shuttle service to the Trailhead (see below).
- Participant parking available on street in nearby neighborhoods.
- There is no racer/participant parking at any Theodore Wirth Park Parking Lots.
Shuttle Bus
- Trailhead Bus Turnaround to and from Calhoun Executive Center, 11:00am-5:00pm.
- Trailhead Bus Turnaround to and from Mortenson Construction Lot, 10:00am-5:00pm.
- As there is an abundance of local parking, there is no shuttle service to bring racers to the beginning of any Point-to-Point races.
- The shuttle cannot accommodate dogs; skijorers must make independent arrangements.
Carpool Drop off/Pick up
At Bde Maka Ska (Start of Point to Point Races)
- North Beach Parking Lot: Available for participant drop off/pick up.
At Theodore Wirth Park
- There is no carpool drop off or pick up at Theodore Wirth Park. Please park in the Mortenson Construction Lot and either walk or take the shuttle to the Trailhead.
Point to Point Racer Bag Transfer
- Bag Drop: North Beach Parking Lot, 8:00am-11:00am
- Bag Claim: Trailhead Little North Lot, 10:00am-2:00pm