Park Near the Right Columbus Hospital Entrance Without Guessing at the Garage
Columbus medical campuses often have several garages serving different emergency rooms, clinics, cancer centers, maternity areas and inpatient buildings. Match your appointment location to the correct garage before driving.
This guide compares patient rates, validation rules, valet, garage hours, accessible parking and destination-specific entrances so you can arrive with one primary option and one backup.
Quick Answer: What Does Columbus Hospital Parking Cost?
OSU Wexner Medical Center: patients and visitors parking in eligible medical-center garages can validate their ticket for a reduced rate of $3 per day.
Grant Medical Center: garage parking is free for patients and visitors after validation. Without validation, the listed garage charge is $10.
Riverside Methodist: self-parking is free for the first two hours and $5 for two hours or more in hospital garages and the Yellow Lot.
Nationwide Children’s: visitor garages issue a time-stamped ticket and charge a hospital parking fee. Valet is currently listed at $5.
Columbus Hospital Parking Comparison
Use this table first if you only need the practical difference between Columbus’s major hospital parking systems.
| Hospital | Patient / visitor self-parking | Valet | Important action |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSU Wexner Medical Center | $3/day after medical-center patient/visitor validation | $10/day; $50 max for 5+ consecutive days at listed main-campus locations | Carry the garage ticket inside for validation. |
| Riverside Methodist | $0 for 0–2 hours; $5 for 2+ hours | $7 single use; $10 for re-entry/re-exit | Use the correct color-coded parking area. |
| Grant Medical Center | Free after validation; $10 without validation | Free at listed patient/visitor entrances | Get a voucher from a nursing unit or information desk. |
| Nationwide Children’s | Hospital visitor fee using time-stamped ticket | $5 | Choose garage according to clinic or hospital building. |
Do not compare only the posted garage rate: OSU and Grant use patient validation. Missing the validation step can materially change what you pay.
OSU Wexner Medical Center Parking: Rates, Validation and Garages
Ohio State has several patient garages around the medical campus. The best garage depends on the exact hospital building in your appointment instructions.
Patient/visitor rate: medical-center patients and visitors can take the garage ticket to patient registration or an information desk and receive the reduced $3 daily rate.
Wexner Medical Center Garage
- Address
- 527 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
- Visitor access
- All times
- Clearance
- 8 ft 2 in
- Capacity
- 1,871 spaces
- Accessible
- 116 accessible spaces
- EV charging
- Available on Level 1
- Standard daily max
- $15 before applicable medical patient/visitor validation
- Best for
- University Hospital, The James Cancer Hospital and Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital
12th Avenue Garage
- Address
- 340 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
- Visitor access
- All times
- Clearance
- 7 ft
- Capacity
- 642 spaces
- Accessible
- 53 accessible spaces
- Best for
- Emergency Department, Harding Hospital and nearby medical-campus destinations
SAFEAUTO Garage
- Address
- 1585 Westpark Street, Columbus, OH 43210
- Clearance
- 8 ft 2 in
- Capacity
- 826 spaces
- Accessible
- 24 accessible spaces
- Standard daily max
- $15 before applicable medical validation
- Best for
- Rhodes Hall, Doan Hall and Ross Heart Hospital
CampusParc help: parking questions can be handled 24/7 at 614-688-0000.
Which OSU Wexner Garage Should You Use?
| Your destination | Recommended parking | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Department | 12th Avenue Garage | Closest listed self-parking; valet is strongly encouraged for ED visits. |
| University Hospital | Wexner Medical Center Garage | Level 4 enclosed bridge connects to the hospital. |
| Rhodes Hall | SAFEAUTO Garage | Better west-side access. |
| Doan Hall | SAFEAUTO / nearby medical garages | Check appointment instructions for current preferred route. |
| University Hospital – Pavilion | 11th Avenue Garage | Closest garage; open 24/7, but shuttle service is not provided from this garage. |
| Ross Heart Hospital | SAFEAUTO Garage | Listed by Ohio State as a preferred nearby facility. |
| The James Cancer Hospital | Wexner Medical Center Garage | Ohio State’s preferred central-campus option. |
| James Outpatient Care | James Outpatient Care Garage, 2061 Kenny Road | Dedicated visitor garage with 631 spaces and Level 2 EV charging. |
Riverside Methodist Hospital Parking Rates and Opening Hours
Riverside is easier when you follow its color-coded hospital areas instead of navigating only to 3535 Olentangy River Road.
| Parking area | Public access | Rate | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Garage | 24 hours, 7 days | $0 first 2 hours; $5 after 2 hours | Emergency, McConnell Heart Hospital, Silver area and 24-hour access |
| Green Garage | 5 a.m.–7 p.m. | $0 first 2 hours; $5 after 2 hours | Medical office buildings, Green area and Orange-area surgery destinations |
| Purple Garage | 6 a.m.–8 p.m. | $0 first 2 hours; $5 after 2 hours | OhioHealth Bing Cancer Center |
| Yellow Lot | 5 a.m.–9 p.m. general; 24/7 maternity | $0 first 2 hours; $5 after 2 hours | Women’s Center, Labor & Delivery, radiology and family practice |
Current construction issue: Riverside says the area between Green Garage and Blue valet is under construction until further notice. Recheck the official visitor page before driving.
Riverside Methodist: Match the Hospital Area to the Correct Garage
The official Riverside wayfinding brochure gives a direct destination-to-parking mapping that is more useful than choosing the nearest garage by distance.
| Hospital destination | Recommended parking | Useful arrival detail |
|---|---|---|
| Red Area / Emergency Room / McConnell Heart Hospital | Red Garage | Best 24-hour garage option. |
| Silver Area / Neuroscience Center | Red Garage | Do not look for a separate “Silver Garage.” |
| Yellow Area / Women’s Center / Labor & Delivery | Yellow Lot | Maternity access is available 24/7. |
| Blue Area / Main Entrance | Blue valet or Red Garage | Blue valet is weekday-only. |
| Orange Area / Surgery Waiting | Green Garage | Check current construction routing. |
| Green Area / Medical Office Buildings | Green Garage | Public EV charging is available here. |
| Purple Area / Bing Cancer Center | Purple Garage | Garage public hours are 6 a.m.–8 p.m. |
EV detail: Riverside’s official EV brochure lists Tesla and universal charging on Green Garage Level 2 and universal charging on Purple Garage Level 1.
Riverside Valet Hours and Long-Stay Parking
| Valet location | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Main Entrance | Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m.; no weekend valet | $7 single use / $10 re-entry and re-exit |
| Yellow Entrance | 24/7 maternity; 5 a.m.–9 p.m. general | $7 / $10 re-entry option |
| Red Entrance | 24/7 | $7 / $10 re-entry option |
| Green Entrance | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | $7 / $10 re-entry option |
| Purple / Bing Cancer Center | Weekdays 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; weekends 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | $7 / $10 re-entry option |
14+ day admission: Riverside says visitors of a patient hospitalized for 14 or more consecutive days can receive free visitor parking passes for up to two visitors. Ask the caregiver to contact Care Coordination.
Grant Medical Center Parking: Free Validation, Garages and Valet
Grant is unusually visitor-friendly for downtown Columbus: validated patient and visitor garage parking is free, and listed patient valet locations are free.
Orange Garage
- Address
- 393 East Town Street, Columbus, OH
- Hours
- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Patient/visitor cost
- Free after validation
- Without validation
- $10
- Best for
- Grant Cancer Center, Bone & Joint area and 393 E. Town Street destinations
Blue Garage
- Live-page address
- 332 E. State Street, Columbus, OH
- Hours
- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Patient/visitor cost
- Free after validation
- Best for
- Main Hospital, Wilkins Building, Surgical & Heart Center and Emergency Department
Main Hospital valet
111 S. Grant Avenue. Listed Monday–Friday, 24/7.
Bone & Joint valet
323 E. Town Street. Listed weekday morning/afternoon service.
Wilkins Building valet
285 E. State Street, weekday service.
Grant Cancer Center valet
303 E. Town Street, weekday service.
Valet retrievals can be requested at 614-788-5858. Grant lists 614-566-9368 for current parking/valet hours.
Grant Medical Center Parking by Reason for Visit
Grant’s official parking guide maps specific medical tasks to the best entrance and garage.
| Reason for visit | Entrance | Recommended parking |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency room | Emergency Room Entrance / 6th Street | Blue Garage or valet |
| Having a baby | Emergency Room Entrance / 6th Street | Blue Garage or valet |
| Heart procedure | Main Entrance, 111 S. Grant | Blue Garage or valet |
| CT / X-ray / MRI | Main Entrance | Blue Garage or valet |
| Mammogram / PET | Wilkins Building, 285 E. State | Blue Garage or Wilkins valet |
| Cancer care / orthopedic outpatient | 303 E. Town Street | Orange Garage or valet |
| Outpatient lab | Wilkins Building | Blue Garage or valet |
| General surgery / procedure | Main Entrance | Blue Garage or valet |
| Bone & Joint surgery | 323 E. Town Street | Orange Garage or valet |
| Visiting an inpatient | Main Entrance | Blue Garage or valet |
Downtown driving tip: Grant’s campus map notes that some turns from Broad Street onto Grant Avenue can be time-restricted. Follow current navigation and onsite hospital signs on the final approach.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Parking: Which Garage Should You Use?
Nationwide Children’s specifically tells families to follow any parking instructions sent with the appointment because they may differ from the general campus recommendation.
Blue Parking Garage
Address: 633 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205.
Best for: Emergency Department and inpatient visits.
Parking: time-stamped visitor ticket with pay-on-foot stations or payment at exit.
Orange Parking Garage
Address: 543 S. 18th Street, Columbus, OH 43205.
Best for: many outpatient clinics.
Parking: time-stamped ticket; pay inside or on exit.
Yellow Parking Garage
Address: 420 Butterfly Gardens Drive, Columbus, OH 43215.
Best for: Livingston Ambulatory Center and Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion.
Psychiatric Crisis: reserved green spaces on Level 1 provide a staff-assistance process when help is needed getting a child out of the car.
Silver Parking Garage
Address: 500 Butterfly Gardens Drive, Columbus, OH 43215.
Best for: Conference Center visitors.
Payment: pay-on-foot stations are available in the atrium connection or payment can be made at exit.
Where to Park for an Emergency Department in Columbus
OSU University Hospital ED
Use 12th Avenue Garage at 340 W. 12th Avenue for closest listed self-parking. Ohio State strongly encourages ED patients and visitors to use valet where practical.
Nationwide Children’s ED
Emergency drop-off is beside the Main Hospital entrance at 630 Children’s Drive. Fifteen-minute parking and valet are available there; longer self-parking is in Blue Garage.
Grant Emergency Department
The official Grant guide directs Emergency Department visitors toward the 6th Street ED entrance and Blue Garage or valet.
Emergency care comes first: if a passenger needs immediate care, use the designated emergency drop-off and follow staff instructions. The vehicle can be moved afterward if necessary.
Hospital Valet Parking in Columbus: Prices and When to Use It
| Hospital | Current valet detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| OSU Wexner | $10/day; $50 maximum for five or more consecutive days at listed main-campus locations | ED, surgery, mobility limitations and complex campus visits |
| Riverside Methodist | $7 single use; $10 for re-entry/re-exit | Maternity, discharge, cancer treatment and limited mobility |
| Grant Medical Center | Free for patients/visitors at listed locations | Main Hospital, Bone & Joint, Wilkins and Cancer Center |
| Nationwide Children’s | $5 | Main Hospital, Children’s Gateway and Outpatient Care |
Discharge shortcut: Riverside and Nationwide Children’s both describe call-ahead vehicle retrieval. Keep the valet stub because the retrieval number or instructions may be printed on it.
Accessible and Disabled Hospital Parking in Columbus
OSU Wexner
All main medical-center patient and visitor garages have designated accessible spaces and elevators. Wexner Medical Center Garage is especially practical for University Hospital because of the enclosed Level 4 bridge.
Riverside Methodist
Accessible parking is available in all garages and lots. If designated spaces are full, ask parking or valet staff for assistance.
Grant Medical Center
Accessible spaces are available in garages and on nearby streets. If no accessible space is available, ask at a valet location. Protective Services can also assist.
Nationwide Children’s
All visitor parking lots offer accessible parking. High-top vans can use the dedicated accessible area at the Outpatient Care Entrance, 555 S. 18th Street. Patient Relations: 614-722-6593.
Better than choosing the closest garage: call the hospital before the visit when wheelchair unloading, high-top clearance, limited walking distance or accessible elevator routing matters.
EV Charging at Columbus Hospital Parking Garages
OSU Wexner Garage
CampusParc lists EV chargers on Level 1 of Wexner Medical Center Garage.
James Outpatient Care Garage
CampusParc lists EV chargers on Level 2 of the dedicated outpatient garage at 2061 Kenny Road.
Riverside Green Garage
The official OhioHealth EV map lists Tesla and universal charging on Green Garage Level 2.
Riverside Purple Garage
Universal charging ports are listed on Level 1.
Do not rely on a charger alone
Hospital treatment time may exceed charging needs. Check signs and charger availability instead of occupying a charging space after charging is complete.
Bring a backup
If charging is essential for the return trip, identify a nearby public charging alternative before the appointment.
Long-Stay and Overnight Hospital Parking
Riverside 14+ days
Visitors of patients hospitalized for at least 14 consecutive days may receive free parking passes, issued for two weeks at a time for up to two visitors.
OSU repeated visits
The $3 validated daily medical-center garage rate can substantially reduce repeated patient/visitor parking costs.
Grant long stays
Validated patient and visitor garage parking is already free, making hospital garages more practical than nearby metered street parking.
Columbus Hospital Parking Tips That Actually Save Time
Search the garage address, not the hospital name
A hospital map pin often lands at a main entrance even when your garage driveway is on another street.
Bring the ticket into the building
This is especially important at OSU and Grant because validation happens inside.
Add a 25-minute parking buffer
Account for garage entry, elevators, indoor wayfinding, registration and a possible wrong-turn correction.
Save your return route
Photograph garage level, row, elevator bank, hospital entrance and any color-coded route.
OSU event-day traffic matters
Ohio State football games, concerts and university events can affect medical-campus road access and garage traffic.
Use Riverside’s colors
Red, Green, Purple, Yellow, Blue and Silver are functional wayfinding areas—not just decorative signage.
Grant garage is usually better than a meter
Validated patient/visitor garage parking is free, while nearby street meters can have short time limits.
Follow Children’s appointment instructions
Nationwide Children’s specifically says appointment-specific parking directions may differ from general campus recommendations.
Hospital Parking Problems: What to Do Next
| Problem | What to do now | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Forgot to validate | Use the garage help button or return to an information/registration desk if practical. | Garage ticket and appointment details. |
| Wrong garage | Ask the hospital desk about indoor routes, transportation or shuttle assistance. | Garage name and destination building. |
| Garage entrance closed | Follow after-hours signs or contact hospital security/parking. | Garage and entrance names. |
| Accessible spaces full | Ask valet or parking staff rather than using an unauthorized area. | Placard/permit and vehicle details. |
| Cannot locate vehicle | Contact hospital security or parking staff. | Plate, make/model, level and any parking photo. |
| Feel unsafe walking alone | Ask hospital security for an escort when available. | Current lobby, garage and level. |
| Parking ticket lost at OSU | Use the lost-ticket option on the CampusParc payment machine or contact CampusParc. | Entry time and garage. |
| Need Riverside car after valet | Ask staff to use call-ahead service; the car may be returned to another hospital entrance. | Valet ticket. |
Important Columbus Hospital Parking Contacts
Riverside Methodist Hospital
Grant Medical Center
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
60-Second Hospital Parking Checklist
Before driving
- Exact hospital and clinic name
- Building or tower
- Garage address
- Parking rate
- Validation requirement
- Garage opening hours
- Accessible parking or valet need
- Appointment arrival time
- Backup parking option
Before leaving the hospital
- Garage ticket validated
- Valet stub ready
- Garage level and row saved
- After-hours entrance confirmed
- Payment method available
- Discharge pickup location confirmed
- Security escort requested if needed
- Return route shared with caregiver
Columbus Hospital Parking Google Map
Use this map to understand the hospital areas. For the final drive, use the exact garage address from the sections above.
Do not navigate only to the hospital name: the destination pin may send you to a patient entrance instead of the parking garage driveway.
Official Parking Resources Used for This Guide
Use these pages when you need to verify a changing rate, construction notice, garage hour, accessible-parking rule or appointment-specific parking instruction.
Columbus Hospital Parking FAQs
How much is patient parking at OSU Wexner Medical Center?
Patients and visitors in eligible medical-center garages can currently validate their ticket for a reduced rate of $3 per day. Take the ticket to patient registration or an information desk before returning to the garage.
What is the best garage for OSU University Hospital?
Wexner Medical Center Garage at 527 W. 10th Avenue is the preferred option. An enclosed pedestrian bridge on Level 4 connects the garage to University Hospital.
Where should I park for the OSU Emergency Department?
12th Avenue Garage at 340 W. 12th Avenue is the closest listed self-parking facility. Ohio State also strongly encourages Emergency Department patients and visitors to consider valet.
How much does Riverside Methodist parking cost?
Riverside currently lists self-parking as free for the first two hours and $5 for stays of two hours or more in its garages and Yellow Lot.
Which Riverside garage should I use for the Emergency Department?
Use the Red Garage. Riverside’s official wayfinding guide also recommends Red Garage for McConnell Heart Hospital and the Silver/Neuroscience area.
Is parking free at Grant Medical Center?
Yes. Garage parking is free for patients and visitors after validation. Without validation, the current listed garage fee is $10.
Which Grant garage should I use for an emergency visit?
Grant’s official parking guide directs Emergency Department visitors to the 6th Street Emergency Room Entrance and Blue Garage or valet.
Where should I park at Nationwide Children’s Hospital?
Blue Garage is best for the Main Hospital, inpatients and Emergency Department; Orange serves many outpatient clinics; Yellow serves Livingston and behavioral-health destinations; Silver serves the Conference Center.
Does Nationwide Children’s have accessible parking for high-top vans?
Yes. The hospital identifies a dedicated accessible parking area at the Outpatient Care Entrance, 555 S. 18th Street. Patient Relations can assist at 614-722-6593.
Can long-term hospital visitors get discounted parking in Columbus?
Policies vary. Riverside offers free visitor passes when a patient has been hospitalized for 14 or more consecutive days. OSU uses its reduced validated patient/visitor rate, while Grant validated patient/visitor garage parking is free.
Independent Hospital Parking Information
Parking Guide Hub is an independent informational website and is not Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, CampusParc, OhioHealth, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Grant Medical Center or Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Hospital construction, rates, validation requirements, valet schedules, entrances and garage access can change. Verify time-sensitive details through the official hospital resource linked immediately after the relevant explanation.
Visit the Parking Guide Hub homepage for more parking guides.