Parallel parking makes a lot of new drivers in La Junta nervous, and honestly, that’s completely normal. You’re trying to judge distance, control your speed, and read the situation around you all at once. Our goal here isn’t to scare you with horror stories or make you feel behind. Instead, we want to help you find calm, predictable places to practice so the skill starts to feel routine.
With the right spots and a little structure, parallel parking becomes less of a mystery and more of a repeatable step-by-step process. Think of it as one small piece of solid defensive driving, not a pass–fail moment that defines you as a driver.
Quick Answer: Where New Drivers Can Practice Parallel Parking in La Junta
If you’re just looking for places to go, start with larger, low-pressure areas, then work your way toward real curbs. In La Junta, good practice spots include the Otero College student parking lots, the College Overlook Park / Tippy Martinez Stadium lot, the La Junta Station surface lot, and the quieter corners of the Walmart Supercenter parking lot during off-peak hours.
Once you’re more comfortable, move to quiet residential streets near local parks, where you can practice between real parked cars while traffic stays light and manageable.
What Makes a Good Parallel Parking Practice Spot?
Before you head to any of the locations we suggest, it helps to know what you’re actually looking for. A solid practice spot usually has:
- Low speeds and light traffic
You don’t want to feel rushed by cars stacking up behind you. Slower streets and quieter lots give you room to breathe and think through each step.
- Clear sightlines
If you can see what’s coming from both directions, it’s much easier to relax, check your mirrors, and focus on your steering instead of worrying about surprises.
- Helpful and legal signage
Take a second to look for signage about no-parking zones, fire hydrants, loading areas, or time limits. Practicing in a spot where parking isn’t allowed creates tricky habits from the start.
- Room to set up a practice “space”
Look for enough open curb or an empty stretch of parking spaces where you can use cones, boxes, or two parked cars as “bookends.” That way, you can repeat the same maneuver several times in a row without constantly resetting the car.
Best Public Places to Practice Parallel Parking in La Junta
Now let’s talk about actual places you can go. We like to start students in big, open lots where the only real pressure comes from their own nerves, then gradually move closer to real curbs and other cars. The spots below are suggestions, not rules. Use your own judgment, check how busy the area is, and leave if it doesn’t feel safe or respectful to keep practicing.
Otero College Student Parking Lots
The student lots around Otero College work well when the campus is quiet. You’ll usually find long rows of spaces and open lanes where you can line up cones or use empty curb sections as your practice zone. Evenings, weekends, or school breaks are usually best. Take your time, repeat the maneuver slowly, and remember it’s still campus property, avoid reserved spots and be ready to move if events or staff need the area.
College Overlook Park & Stadium Lot
Across from Otero College along San Juan Avenue, College Overlook Park shares a parking lot with Tippy Martinez Stadium, which makes this area a natural “next step” spot. When there’s no game or event, you’ll usually find long, open stretches to practice pulling up, backing in, and straightening out without a line of cars behind you.
Use the painted lines or curbs to judge your angles and distance, and if the lot is busy with park visitors or sports traffic, it’s better to come back at a quieter time.
La Junta Station Surface Lot
The official surface lot at the La Junta Amtrak station at 1 W 1st St gives you a more “real-world” feel while still staying fairly controlled. It’s an unattended, non-restricted lot with around 68 spaces and 24/7 access for rail passengers.
When trains aren’t arriving or departing, the quieter edges of the lot can be a good place to practice moving in and out of spaces near real vehicles. Just stay to the sides, watch for pedestrians and cars pulling through to catch the train, and avoid blocking any drive lanes or access points.
Walmart Supercenter Lot
The Walmart Supercenter lot on Conley Road is a large paved parking area, which can be helpful for practice if you use it thoughtfully. Skip the busy front rows near the doors and head for the far edges or side sections where fewer people park. Aim for off-peak times, early mornings or later evenings on weekdays, so you’re not in the middle of shopping rushes. Keep sessions short, stay out of loading zones and main drive lanes, and remember this is private property if you plan to practice there often.
Quiet Neighborhood Streets and Park-Adjacent Blocks
At some point, you’ll want to move off the big lots and try parallel parking along a real curb. Quiet neighborhood streets are a good middle ground between “empty parking lot” and “downtown traffic.” Look for blocks with low speed limits, light traffic, and enough space between driveways so you’re not squeezing into tiny gaps. Streets near local parks can work well, as long as they aren’t packed with cars for events or games.
As you practice, treat the neighborhood like it’s your own. Don’t block driveways, mailboxes, or fire hydrants, and avoid parking too close to corners or crosswalks. This is also a great time to fold in some simple defensive driving tips, keep scanning for kids, pets, and people backing out of driveways while you line up your maneuver.
Colorado & La Junta Parking Rules to Remember While You Practice
While you’re busy watching mirrors and steering, it helps to have a few simple rules in the back of your mind. Here’s what we want you to remember when you finish a parallel park in La Junta:
- Stay close to the curb
Aim to end up close and parallel to the curb, not drifting out into the lane and not scraping the concrete. Picture roughly a foot of space as your goal.
- Park with the flow of traffic
Always park facing the same direction traffic is moving on that side of the street. It keeps things predictable and makes it easier for other drivers to read what you’re doing.
- Watch the signage
Take a quick look around for signage, no-parking zones, loading areas, time limits, or other special rules. If a sign says you can’t park there, it’s not a good place to practice.
- Give important areas space
Stay clear of:
- Driveways
- Fire hydrants
- Crosswalks
- Intersections
Parking too close to any of these creates extra driving hazards for everyone else on the road.
When You’re Still Struggling, Get Help From a Local Instructor
Even with smart practice spots and a routine, some drivers still feel stuck with parallel parking, and that’s more common than you might think. A patient instructor can ride along, talk you through each step, and choose routes around La Junta that match your comfort level.
Here in town, we offer personalized driving lessons where you can focus on specific skills, parallel parking included and our instructors are trained to guide you step-by-step in a calm, supportive way. If you reach the point where you’re tired of guessing, that’s usually a good sign it’s time to ask questions, get feedback, and let someone experienced help shape your next practice sessions.
Final Thoughts on Top La Junta Locations for Parallel Parking Practice
Parallel parking doesn’t have to be the story you tell about “that one thing you’re bad at.” With the right spots in La Junta and a little structure to your practice, it can turn into one of those skills you barely think about anymore. Start in the big, quiet lots, work your way toward park and stadium spaces, then finish on calm neighborhood streets.
Each small win builds your confidence, sharpens your awareness of driving hazards, and quietly supports your overall defensive driving. Little by little, you’re not just learning to park, you’re learning to stay calm and in control behind the wheel.