Beginner skateparks in North Carolina
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. 2 parks in North Carolina earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Rutherford Skatepark, NC ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); smooth surface; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Nags Head YMCA Skatepark, Nags Head, NC ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as family-friendly; described as all ages
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Kitty Hawk Skatepark, Kitty Hawk, NC ยท low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Aviation Skatepark, Kill Devil Hills, NC ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Pops Skatepark, NC ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a spine (two ramps back to back)
- Rad Skatepark, Asheville, NC ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Waynesville Skatepark, Waynesville, NC ยท staff on site
- Ogden Skatepark, Wilmington, NC ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Renaissance Park Skatepark, Charlotte, NC ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; described as beginner-friendly; described as all ages; smooth surface ยท watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
- Coonskin Skate Park, NC
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 North Carolina
Nearby states
- Beginner skateparks in Tennessee (2 parks)
- Beginner skateparks in Virginia (3 parks)
