Beginner skateparks in Arizona
A skatepark is good for a first visit when it has low, gentle ramps, wide flat ground to practice pushing and turning, and few big features (tall ramps, handrails, deep bowls) that experienced skaters fly off. A fence between the park and the street and lights for evening visits help too.
We score every park from the features it lists. Gentle features such as a mini ramp (a small ramp to learn on), low banks and quarter pipes (short curved ramps) add points; lights, a fence, restrooms and staff on site add a little more; big features such as stairs, handrails, deep bowls and vertical ramps take points away, and a park with a handrail, vertical ramp, pool or large half-pipe is never labelled great. Parks that owners or skaters have marked beginner-friendly come first. Labels are great for beginners, mixed, or advanced. 4 parks in Arizona earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Tuba City Skatepark, Tuba City, AZ ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site
- Council Avenue Skatepark, Somerton, AZ ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; staff on site
- Quartzsite Skatepark, Quartzsite, AZ ยท a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; a place to learn
- Foothills Skatepark, Glendale, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; small speed bumps
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Picture Rocks Skatepark, Tucson, AZ ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; a low, gentle half-pipe; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); small speed bumps ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has handrails; has ledges down stairs
- Chinle Skatepark, Chinle, AZ ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low box ยท watch out: has a large half-pipe
- Camp Verde Skatepark, Camp Verde, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site ยท watch out: has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Buckeye Skatepark, Buckeye, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low, gentle half-pipe; lit at night ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Kennedy Skatepark, Yuma, AZ ยท low ledges; lit at night; staff on site; described as family-friendly ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Kids That Rip Skatepark, Mesa, AZ ยท low ledges; lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Avondale Skatepark, Avondale, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; staff on site; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Bushmaster Skatepark, Flagstaff, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site ยท watch out: has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Hudson Skatepark, Tempe, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; lit at night ยท watch out: has ledges down stairs; has a spine (two ramps back to back); has handrails
- Pecos Skatepark, Phoenix, AZ ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has handrails; has ledges down stairs
- Purple Heart Skatepark, Tucson, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low, gentle half-pipe; lit at night; restrooms on site ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- The Bridge Skatepark, Chandler, AZ ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; a low, gentle half-pipe ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs; has round rails
Tips for a first visit
- Go on a weekday morning or early afternoon: the park is quiet and there is room to practice.
- Wear a helmet, and knee and wrist pads for the first few visits. Most falls land on hands and knees.
- Watch for a minute before you roll in, so you can see how skaters take turns, and let faster skaters pass.
- Start on the flat ground and the smallest ramp. Rolling, stopping and turning come before any trick.
More around Arizona
Nearby states
- Beginner skateparks in California (58 parks)
- Beginner skateparks in Colorado (18 parks)
- Beginner skateparks in Nevada (1 park)
- Beginner skateparks in New Mexico (1 park)
- Beginner skateparks in Utah (8 parks)
