Beginner skateparks in Montana
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. 5 parks in Montana earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Wolf Point Skatepark, Wolf Point, MT ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed)
- Big Sandy Skatepark, Big Sandy, MT ยท a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); small speed bumps; staff on site
- Lewistown Skatepark, Lewistown, MT ยท low ledges; small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); quarter pipes (short curved ramps)
- Red Lodge Skatepark, Red Lodge, MT ยท low ledges; small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); quarter pipes (short curved ramps)
- Sliding 45 Skatepark, Glasgow, MT ยท low ledges; small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); quarter pipes (short curved ramps)
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Stevensville Skatepark, Stevensville, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); a small kicker ramp ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a large half-pipe; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Thunder Skatepark, Browning, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed) ยท watch out: has gaps to jump; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has a tall extension
- Chippewa Cree Tribe Community Skatepark, Box Elder, MT ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); small speed bumps; low ledges; a small kicker ramp; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed) ยท watch out: has a large half-pipe; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has a tall extension
- Bozeman Skatepark, Bozeman, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; small speed bumps; staff on site ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Hamilton Skatepark, Hamilton, MT ยท low ledges; small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed) ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has a tall extension; has gaps to jump
- Pablo Skatepark, Pablo, MT ยท a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed); low ledges; small speed bumps; quarter pipes (short curved ramps) ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has ledges down stairs; has gaps to jump
- Alberton Skatepark, Alberton, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; small speed bumps; a small kicker ramp ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Darby Skatepark, Darby, MT ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; small speed bumps ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has round rails
- Riverside Railyard Skatepark, Great Falls, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; small speed bumps; a pump track (rolling bumps, no tricks needed) ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has a spine (two ramps back to back); has a set of stairs
- Brett Fitch Memorial Skatepark, Glendive, MT ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; lit at night; staff on site ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has round rails; has ledges down stairs
- BYEP Skatepark, Bozeman, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low box; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly ยท watch out: has handrails; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has round rails
- Whitehall Skatepark, Whitehall, MT ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp ยท watch out: 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 Montana
Nearby states
- Beginner skateparks in South Dakota (2 parks)
- Beginner skateparks in Wyoming (2 parks)
