Our Top Skateparks in Texas: Austin, Houston & More

The second largest state in the nation in terms of both area and population, the Lone Star State has made quite a name for itself here at home and abroad. With a coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, many parts of Texas serve as tourist hotspots, while the state leads in industries such as tourism, agriculture, crude oil, and energy. 

Texas is also famous for its BBQ, love of high school football, booming cities, and the Alamo. But what about its skate scene? “Everything is bigger in Texas!” or so the saying goes, and skateparks are no exception. The Lone Star State definitely doesn’t shy on its share of skateparks, and in typical Texas fashion, is home to the largest skatepark in the country.

Whether you’re a lifelong Texan scoping out more local spots to check out or are planning a trip out there sometime soon, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Texas skateparks, in no particular order. This is by no means an all-inclusive list, so be sure to keep an eye out for more sweet spots as well as ask local skaters for their recommendations!

But first…skate gear!

You’ve heard it all before, but it bears repeating. Whenever you’re at any skatepark, always make sure that safety is your first priority. This means wearing the right skating attire, including protective gear. 

Never go skateboarding without a proper fitting helmet. Many skateparks have posted signs requiring all skaters to wear helmets, but even if the park doesn’t enforce it, it’s best to set the right example for other skaters. It’s never worth risking an injury. You don’t want a nasty fall or bump on the head to keep you off your board for months, or worse. 

Extra equipment like pads and guards can be helpful too, especially if you or your kid are just starting out. Skate gear and accessories are available in an impressive range of styles from reputable skate brands, so you’re bound to find safety gear that fits your needs. 

North Houston Skate Park

Location: 12351 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston, Texas 77067

Cost: Free

Hours: Vary by season, see website

Best for: Bowls, vert, street style

Kicking off our list is the North Houston Skate Park, the largest skatepark in North America and the second largest in the world. Coming in at a whopping 78,000 square feet, this outdoor competition-scale skatepark is a bucket list item for both local Texans and skaters across the country. One of the park’s star attractions is a Texas-shaped bowl with a 20-foot full pipe. Other obstacles and amenities at this Houston park include a 12-foot vertical pipe, backyard style pools, flow bowls, banked walls, and a snake run pathway. The dedicated street style section won’t disappoint with ledges, rails, benches, hubbas, manual pads, and banks. The park also allows rollerblades and quad skates. Spectators can make use of walking trails, shaded picnic tables, benches, and view the public art.

Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark

Location: 103 Sabine St, Houston, Texas 77007

Cost: Free

Hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm

Best for: Cradle lovers, all skill levels

Another true Texas-sized skatepark, the Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark near downtown Houston spans over 40,000 square feet. Named after famed Texas laywer Joe Jamail and his wife Lee and located within Eleanor Tinsley Park, this world class in-ground skatepark has areas for skaters of all skill levels. The park features a kidney pool, large bowl, and two cradles, one of which is allegedly the largest in the United States. The street style course offers quarterpipes, handrails, and more. Visitors can also check out “Skater Alley,” a winding walkway before the entrance to the skatepark featuring graffiti art. 

House Park Plaza

Location: 1213 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, Texas 78701

Cost: Free

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Best for: Street style, bowls, transition

Roughly 165 miles northwest of Houston lies Austin, home to House Park Plaza. The outdoor, mostly concrete facility opened in 2011 and serves as the state’s premier downtown plaza and bowl complex. Designed with Austin’s diverse skate and BMX communities in mind, House Park Plaza has something for all action sports lovers, including a variety of terrain. Transitions skaters will love the park’s street section jam packed with stair sets, hubba ledges, handrails, flat bars, manual pads, and much more. Bowl lovers will flock to the multi-depth bowls while Austin spectators can enjoy socializing areas decked out with art. For those who prefer nighttime skating, House Park Plaza is lit until 10 pm. 

Wells Branch MUD Skatepark

Location: 3000 Shoreline Dr, Austin, Texas 78728

Cost: Free

Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm

Best for: Beginners

Another sweet skate spot within the Austin city limits, Wells Branch MUD Skatepark is an outdoor concrete facility that is a must-visit spot for all newer skaters in the Austin area. Although the park caters to all skill levels, the shallower bowl complex is super enticing to novice skaters who are just getting their feet wet. The upper section contains a plaza terrain with a street style course, featuring a flat bar, manual pad, flat ledges that are skateable on both sides, stair sets, a bank ramp, and an asymmetrical A-range. The lower section features a turn-around to return you to the plaza and also features a combo of banks, hips, and transitions. 

Garrett Hysmith Skate Park

Location: 1520 Rock Prairie Rd, College Station, Texas 77840

Cost: Free

Hours: 7:00am – 7:00pm

Best for: All skill levels, bowls, street, transition

College Station sits about 80 miles northwest of Houston and is home to Texas A&M University, the flagship campus of the Texas A&M University System. The Garrett Hysmith Skate Park, also referred to as College Station Skate Park, opened in 2011 and was designed with the input of local skaters. This mostly concrete, competition-quality Houston area skatepark boasts unique terrain and a wide assortment of features. Obstacles include a linear street path with stair sets, handrails, banks, ledges, and gaps. The skatepark also features a transition area with two bowls, a replica swimming pool, as well as cantilevered and floating obstacles. 

Everything truly is bigger in Texas, skateparks included! We hope this guide to our favorite Texas skateparks encourages you to get out and explore some new spots. Did we miss one of your local favorites? Let us know!