Beginner skateparks in Louisiana

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. 1 park in Louisiana earns the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.

Great for beginners

1. Parisite DIY Skatepark, New Orleans, LA · a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; staff on site

Worth a look with a grown-up

These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:

1. Brusly Skatepark, Brusly, LA · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site; described as beginner-friendly · watch out: has handrails
2. Down the Hill DIY Skatepark, Ruston, LA · a small kicker ramp; low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site · watch out: has handrails
3. Lake Charles Skatepark, Lake Charles, LA · a small kicker ramp; low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); restrooms on site · watch out: has handrails; has ledges down stairs
4. Houman Skatepark, Houma, LA · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site · watch out: has kinked rails; has a set of stairs
5. Golden Meadow Skatepark, Golden Meadow, LA · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); small speed bumps; staff on site · watch out: has a gap; has ledges down stairs; has round rails
6. Thomas Skatepark, Lafayette, LA · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; staff on site · watch out: has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has handrails
7. Bayou Wheels Skatepark, New Iberia, LA · quarter pipes (short curved ramps); staff on site; described as beginner-friendly · watch out: has a wall ride; has a large half-pipe
8. John Slidell Skatepark, Slidell, LA · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; a low manual pad; lit at night · watch out: has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has gaps to jump
9. Bastrop Skatepark, Bastrop, LA · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; staff on site; a place to learn · watch out: has handrails; has a large half-pipe

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 Louisiana

• All Louisiana skateparks
• Parks with lights in Louisiana
• Skateparks near me
• Beginner parks in other places

Nearby states

• Beginner skateparks in Arkansas (4 parks)