Minnesota State Fairgrounds
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds, home of the 12-day Minnesota State Fair, are open to the public year round for recreational use. Outside the fair you can walk or bike the grounds daily from about 6am to 11pm. During the fair, the grounds have a campground and rent out mobility scooters, wheelchairs, strollers and wagons inside the gates.
Before you go
- Indoor or outdoor
- Fairgrounds with barns, buildings and open grounds
- Official site
- mnstatefair.org
- Next festival here
- Minnesota State Fair, Aug 26 to Sep 6, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Outside the fair the grounds are for recreational use only, and some special events close them.
- The campground takes online registration for fair-time camping, and a waiting list runs by email when it closes.
- Mobility scooter and wheelchair rentals are best reserved by 4:30pm the day before.
- Charging for personal mobility equipment is not available at the HomeTown Mobility rental tent.
- Group charter buses enter at Gate 18, and the accessible Park and Ride bus enters at Gate 9.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Open year round for walking and biking · 12-day fair ending on Labor Day · Campground with a waiting list.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want grounds you can walk or bike all year.
- You want to camp on site during the fair.
- You need to rent mobility equipment on arrival.
Think twice if
- You need to charge a power wheelchair or scooter at the rental tent.
- You plan to turn up at peak times without a camping registration.
Getting there and parking
Outside the fair, the grounds are open to the public for walking and biking daily from about 6am to 11pm, except when some special events close them. They are open to the public year round for recreational use only.
Festival-specific · Minnesota State FairGate tickets are sold from 7am to 8:30pm (5:30pm on Labor Day) and online tickets from 6am to 8pm (5pm on Labor Day). On Labor Day the fair runs 7am to 8pm, with admission until 6pm, and hand stamps are issued for re-entry.
Festival-specific · Minnesota State FairGuests on group charter buses enter at Gate 18 (Randall/Dan Elmer Way). Guests on the accessible Oscar Johnson Arena Park and Ride bus enter at Gate 9, the Loop Gate, at 1741 Como Ave.
Accessibility
Festival-specific · Minnesota State FairHomeTown Mobility, an independent vendor, rents electric mobility scooters, strollers, wagons and wheelchairs at five locations inside the main gates, from 7am to 11pm daily (8pm on Labor Day). Advance reservations are recommended, and the reservation deadline is 4:30pm the day before.
Festival-specific · Minnesota State FairYou are welcome to bring your own electric scooter or wheelchair, but battery charging for personal mobility equipment is not available at HomeTown Mobility. The fair also has an accessible changing restroom and adult-size changing tables.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (mnstatefair.org).
Camping
The Minnesota State Fair Campground offers public camping during the fair through online registration. When registration has closed you can ask to join the waiting list by emailing [email protected] or calling 651-642-2379. For camping during other events on the fairgrounds, contact the event organizer.
Food, water and what you can bring
The Minnesota State Fair has a free exhibit with baby calves, lambs, goats and piglets during the fair's 12 days, staffed by volunteers from FFA and the veterinary medical community.
The Minnesota State Fair has the Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, with tickets loaded onto a Fun Card. Ticket booths close half an hour before rides and games close, and daily closing times for the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park may vary.
Recently at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Where does the money at the Minnesota State Fair go? | The Fair Business | Ep. 2
From the venue · Oct 15, 2026
Who is running the Minnesota State Fair? | The Fair Business | Ep. 1
From the venue · Oct 9, 2026
4-H State Arts-In Program
From the venue · Oct 9, 2026
Minnesota State Fair: 2026 More Than You Expect
Minnesota State Fair
Quick answers
Can I visit the Minnesota State Fairgrounds outside the fair?
Yes, for walking and biking. The grounds are open daily from about 6am to 11pm, except when some special events close them.
Can I camp at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds?
Yes, at the Minnesota State Fair Campground, which takes online registration for fair-time camping and keeps a waiting list by email at [email protected] or by phone on 651-642-2379. For other events on the grounds, contact the event organizer.
Can I rent a wheelchair or scooter at the State Fair?
Yes. HomeTown Mobility rents electric scooters, wheelchairs, strollers and wagons at five locations inside the main gates, from 7am to 11pm daily. Reserve by 4:30pm the day before.
Can I bring my own wheelchair or scooter?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your own, but battery charging for personal mobility equipment is not available at HomeTown Mobility.
Can I leave and come back to the State Fair?
Yes. Hand stamps are issued for re-entry.
Which gate do charter buses use?
Group charter buses enter at Gate 18 (Randall/Dan Elmer Way). The accessible Oscar Johnson Arena Park and Ride bus enters at Gate 9, the Loop Gate, at 1741 Como Ave.
What time do gate tickets go on sale at the State Fair?
Gate tickets are sold from 7am to 8:30pm during the fair, or 5:30pm on Labor Day. Online tickets are sold from 6am to 8pm, or 5pm on Labor Day.
Is there anything for young children at the State Fair?
Yes. There is a free baby animals exhibit with calves, lambs, goats and piglets, and the Kidway has rides.
A little history
The fair runs for 12 days in late summer, ending on Labor Day, and the fairgrounds host events and rentals all year.