Parking at Duke Gardens is managed by Duke University Parking & Transportation. Here are some parking tips for your Gardens visit.
Public parking (including accessible parking) is available to visitors in the Duke Gardens parking lot at 420 Anderson Street, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (March-October) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (November-February). A limited number of parking spaces are also available on Lewis Street throughout the week. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors may park in Duke University’s Campus Drive lot, which is now accessible from the Gardens parking lot via a connecting drive.
Please note that these parking lots cannot accommodate unregistered buses, large vans, RVs and other large vehicles. Bus parking is only available for registered programs.
Parking is limited, and lots routinely fill to capacity in spring and on beautiful days all year when we welcome thousands of visitors. We strongly encourage you to use alternative means of transportation like buses, rideshare services and bicycles. Please visit our website for alternative transportation options.
Parking Fees & Payment
Duke University Parking & Transportation charges a fee for parking in the Gardens lot and overflow parking lots. Payment must be made via the Blue Spot parking website accessed on personal phone devices. There is not an on-site option for credit card and cash payment.
Parking Lot Locations
The Duke Gardens parking lot is located at 420 Anderson Street and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (March-October) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (November-February).
Additionally, there are 44 visitor parking spaces along Lewis Street, available daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, when the Gardens’ grounds are open.
The Campus Drive parking lot is available to Gardens visitors on Saturday and Sunday, and the lot is now accessible from the Gardens parking lot via a connecting drive.
The Duke University Duke University H lot will be accessible to Garden visitors on Saturdays and Sundays during busy times when other parking lots fill to capacity and overflow parking is needed.
How to Pay for Parking
The only way to pay for parking is to use Duke’s Blue Spot parking website on personal phone devices. There is not an on-site option for credit card and cash payment. You will need to know your license plate number to complete the transaction. Here are step-by-step instructions for using the Blue Spot website.
STEP 1
Please choose “Continue as Guest” if you are not a Duke student or employee. If you are a Duke student or employee and have a NetID or OneLink account, you may log in using that information.
STEP 2
Select Duke Gardens from the dropdown menu.
STEP 3
Fill out all required fields and click “Redeem Parking” then “Confirm.” You will need to provide your license plate number.
STEP 4
This will complete the transaction. The final screen confirms your parking session and shows when the session expires. You may add more time from this page. You will also receive an order confirmation by email.
Alternative Transportation Options
Parking is limited, and lots routinely fill to capacity in spring and on beautiful days all year, when we welcome thousands of visitors. We strongly encourage visitors to use alternative means of transportation, including:
- Walking: Duke Gardens has multiple walk-in entrances for visitors walking from Duke’s campus, bus stops or other nearby locations.
- By Bike or Scooter: There are bike racks at the main entrance at 420 Anderson Street, and bike lock loops in the stone wall outside the Memorial Gate on Flowers Drive. Bikes and scooters must be parked at bike racks; you may not ride through the Gardens.
- Buses: Duke Campus buses (free) and GoDurham and GoTriangle buses all have stops at or near Duke Gardens entrances. Bus options.
- Rideshare: The street address for the main entrance is 420 Anderson St., Durham, N.C., 27705.
Save time. Pay for parking using Blue Spot ahead of your visit.
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Questions about parking?
If you have questions about parking at Duke Gardens in advance of your visit, please call the Gardens information line at 919-684-3698.
If you have issues with the Blue Spot parking website or wish to appeal a parking ticket, please contact Duke University Parking & Transportation at 919-684-7275.