Nothing on this planet is quite like a Penn State gameday.

While tailgating is usually a positive experience for students, alumni, family, and friends, it still involves competition. Whether you are a Lot 12 truther or spend most of your time behind the baseball field, there’s been plenty of discussion about which tailgate lots are best.

One of our staffers decided to power rank his favorite tailgate lots, sticking to just the top 10.

The list was made with careful consideration to factors such as proximity to the stadium, the lot size, and the environment on gamedays.

With these considerations in mind, here are the top 10 Penn State football tailgate lots:

No. 10: Lot 33

Located east of the stadium and tucked away below the hill, Lot 33 might not stand out at first, but its sheer size and a great environment make it better than most.

At the lower end of the price range, Lot 33 offers an open, accessible space for anyone who wants to tailgate.

No. 9: Lot 42/43

In this list, some lots are combined because they are too similar to differentiate. Lot 42 and Lot 43 are an example.

These lots shine mostly in their proximity to Beaver Stadium and their paved-and-grass options. However, Lot 42 and 43’s lack of environment and space is what limits them to only the ninth spot on the list.

No. 8: Lot 32

Lot 32 has good proximity to the stadium and plenty of space on an open grass field.

On paper, this lot seems like a nice place to spend your Saturdays before the game. But it falls flat mostly because of its environment; most gamedays you’d be lucky to find this lot even half full, with most tailgates packed together on the side closest to the stadium.

No. 7: Overnight RV Lot

On paper, the overnight RV Lot might not seem like anything. It’s close to the stadium, about a 25-minute walk away. It also doesn’t have much leftover space because of the influx of RVs.

However, the lot is known for one thing only: the RV city that seems to always show up and show out every gameday.

It also comes with some much-deserved bonus points: overnight access included in the package.

No. 6: Lot 12

While this lot also suffers from its distance from the stadium, Lot 12 has a sneaky upside for students: it’s the closest and most accessible lot for on-campus students on gameday.

Plus, the lot’s size makes it open to anyone, creating a great pre-game environment. Yet somehow, with all the space, Lot 12 can still feel tightly packed between each tailgate.

No. 5: Lot 38/39

Yes, Lot 38 and Lot 39 are a bit of a walk when you want to enter the game, but there’s plenty more that makes these lots unique.

As a grass lot with high turnout on gamedays, but still enough room for some nice open space, it’s almost pitch-perfect tailgate conditions.

All other aspects pick up for these lots where distance can’t, leaving it in the top five but just below lots that offer closer parking.

No. 4: Lot 41

Now that we are in the top four, it’s safe to say the spots are reserved for the four major lots located in all four major directions from Beaver Stadium.

With this stiff competition, Lot 41 gets the short end of the stick, mostly due to its environment.

South of the stadium, Lot 41 mostly relies on its vast space. However, it falls significantly because of its low elevation and plain pavement.

Thankfully, the proximity to the stadium is too much to ignore, giving it the No. 4 spot.

No. 3: Lot 18

West of Beaver Stadium, Lot 18 is typically known as a lighter version of RV city. It brings a nice, relaxing atmosphere to Penn State gamedays, offering another perspective on what tailgates can be.

On pavement, it loses a couple of points and doesn’t quite stack up against the remaining two selections on this list.

Lot 18 still provides a different, yet excellent example of what a tailgating lot should be.

No. 2: Lot 31

Moving to the east side of Beaver Stadium, folks will find what I call the “people’s tailgating lot.”

Lot 31 is best known for its exceptional gameday environment and as the most popular tailgating destination around Beaver Stadium.

It meets all the requirements: environment, proximity, large size, and even mostly grass.

This lot functions almost like a giant party every single gameday. However, it comes up just short of the No. 1 position, behind a lot that holds a slight edge.

No. 1: Lot 17

Located north of Beaver Stadium, tucked into the lawn under the north-side upper deck. A tailgating lot sits there that’s so flawless it has to be the number-one spot on this list.

Like Lot 31, Lot 17 also offers a great environment, proximity to the stadium, a decent size, and entirely grass parking.

However, what puts Lot 17 above the rest is its view of the stadium. Remarking the most spectacular view of any lot around Beaver Stadium.