Beginner skateparks in Washington

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 Washington earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.

Great for beginners

1. Lyle Skatepark, Lyle, WA · quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; staff on site; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
2. Burlington Skatepark, Burlington, WA · a small kicker ramp; low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); described as beginner-friendly; smooth surface

Worth a look with a grown-up

These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:

1. Vashon Skatepark, Vashon, WA · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site · watch out: has a set of stairs; has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
2. Horseshoe Lake Skatepark, Woodland, WA · staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; wide flat areas to practice; smooth surface
3. Pacific Scooter Experience, Redmond, WA · lit at night; staff on site; indoors, out of the weather
4. Soap Lake Skatepark, W. Fourth Ave. Moses Lake, WA · lit at night; restrooms on site; staff on site
5. Kiwanis Skatepark, Yakima, WA · staff on site; described as beginner-friendly; smooth surface
6. Bellevue Indoor Skatepark (BVSP), WA · lit at night; staff on site
7. Bellingham Skatepark, Bellingham, WA · lit at night; staff on site
8. Bonney Lake Skatepark, Bonney Lake, WA · lit at night; staff on site
9. Chewelah Skatepark, Chewelah, WA · lit at night; staff on site
10. Cusick Skatepark, Cusick, WA · lit at night; staff on site
11. EJ Miller Skatepark, Prosser, WA · lit at night; staff on site
12. Ellensburg Skatepark, Ellensburg, WA · lit at night; staff on site

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 Washington

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

Nearby states

• Beginner skateparks in Oregon (1 park)