Iowa has definitely cemented itself a spot in skateboarding history by building several outstanding skateparks over recent years. In fact, this state now holds the title for having the biggest skatepark in the USA, a title that previously belonged to Texas.

This monster skatepark occupies 88,000 square feet of river frontage in the city of Des Moines and had the honor of hosting an Olympic qualifying event in conjunction with the Dew Tour. It just goes to show that when a superior skatepark is built, good things are sure to follow.

Professional skateboarder Mike Vallely has also been drawn to “The Hawkeye State” and now calls Des Moines home. It seems like Iowa is ticking all the boxes for skateboarders these days. If you get a chance to visit this Midwest skateboarding mecca, you will be pleased to know it has an impressive list of skateparks waiting for you.

Best Skateparks In Iowa


Lauridsen Skatepark

Lauridsen Skatepark in Des Moines, Iowa, is now the biggest skatepark in the United States. This skatepark which opened on May 7th, 2021, is a whopping 88,000 square feet and was designed and built by legendary skatepark builders California Skateparks.

There are multiple areas consisting of a park course, street course, skate promenade, amoeba pool, flow bowl, and even a skate-able ‘WOW’ sculpture.

Every aspect of this skatepark is truly amazing and the design allows for every type and level of skateboarder to enjoy. If you find yourself in Des Moines this skatepark is a must visit!

LAUIDSEN SKATEPARK
Hours: 6am – 10:30pm
Address: 901 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines Skatepark

West Des Moines Skatepark is 5,000 square feet and was built by Spohn Ranch in 2020. Spohn Ranch are extremely skilled at fitting a variety of obstacles into a small space without compromising functionality. This is a talent that not all skatepark designers have mastered but Spohn Ranch somehow always manage to build skateparks with obstacles that mesh well together.

The street elements at this skatepark such as manual pads of various heights, hubba ledges, out ledges, flat ledges, A-frame, flat bars, rails, pole jam, spine ramp, quarter pipes, and a bump over a concrete ball, will certainly impress all skateboarders. Everything here has been perfectly conceived and allows for easy flow between all of the obstacles.

WEST DES MOINES SKATEPARK
Hours: sunrise – sunset
Address: 301 Vine St, West Des Moines, IA

Youngs Park (Knoxville) Skatepark

Best Skateparks in Iowa
Photo: Spohn Ranch

Youngs Park (also known as Knoxville Skatepark), was built in 2018 by Spohn Ranch. The 9,000 square foot facility was designed with both skateboarders and BMX riders in mind.

There is a two-level four to six-foot bowl, two quarter pipes, corner quarter pipe, pump bumps, banked wall, stairs, rails, flat bars, manual pads, out ledges, flat ledges, and a hubba ledge here. It is a great little skatepark for both beginner and experienced riders.

YOUNGS PARK SKATEPARK
Hours: 6am – 11pm
Address: IA-14, Knoxville, IA

Riverside Skatepark

Waterloo’s Riverside Skatepark is 8,000 square feet and was built by Spohn Ranch in 2020. It replaced an old skatepark that stood here which was destroyed by a 2016 flood event. Thankfully, the new skatepark has been built in a location that is out of the floodway.

The new skatepark features a mix of terrain including a half bowl, quarter pipes, wally-able hubba, five stair, two block A-frame with ledge and rail, manual pads, bank ramps, flat bars, and rails. Offering smooth concrete and fun obstacles, this is a skatepark that all skateboarders are sure to enjoy.

RIVERSIDE SKATEPARK
Hours: sunrise – sunset
Address: Touchae Park, 601, 999 Park Rd, Waterloo, IA

Oskaloosa Skatepark

Best Skateparks in Iowa
Photo: Spohn Ranch

Oskaloosa Skatepark is 11,000 square feet and was built back in 2011 by Spohn Ranch. The project came to fruition after receiving donations from local businesses, youth fundraising efforts, and $10,000 from The Skatepark Project.

This skatepark features a variety of street elements such as ledges, A-frame, rails, manual pads, bank ramps, stair set, half bowl, and plenty of flat ground. It just goes to show what can be achieved when skateboarders work together for a common goal.

OSKALOOSA SKATEPARK
Hours: sunrise – sunset
Address: 259-299 High Ave W, Oskaloosa, IA

Butterfield Skatepark

Best Skateparks in Iowa
Photo: Spohn Ranch

Butterfield Skatepark is located in the city of Marion and was designed by Spohn Ranch. The 3,500 square foot skatepark opened in 2019 and cost $150,000 in total which was funded through a local-option sales tax.

Although this skatepark is on the smaller side, it is certainly not lacking in obstacles. There are three different quarter pipes; one with a nice hip, a flat bar, down rail, and A-rail, three ledges, manual pad, and some banks.

BUTTERFIELD SKATEPARK
Hours: 6am -10pm
Address: 29th Ave, Marion, IA

OB Nelson Skatepark

Best Skateparks in Iowa
Photo: Spohn Ranch

OB Nelson Skatepark is 4,000 square feet and was built by Spohn Ranch in 2014 thanks to a donation from an anonymous donor.

It features a multi-level bowl with a waterfall, tombstone extension and multiple hips, as well as a street section with two down ledges, a curved ledge and manual pad combo, one rail, and a pole jam. Whoever donated the money to fund this skatepark must be a really awesome person!

OB NELSON SKATEPARK
Hours: sunrise – sunset
Address: 202 W Fillmore Ave, Fairfield, IA

Grinnell Skatepark

Best Skateparks in Iowa
Photo: Spohn Ranch

Grinnell Skatepark is located in Baily Park and measures in at 5,500 square feet. Built by Spohn Ranch in 2019, it features a bowl with varying depths and a volcano, along with a spine ramp and quarter pipe with an extension. As far as street obstacles go, there is not much, just one ledge and a rail. The highlight of this park is the bowl.

GRINNELL SKATEPARK
Hours: 5am – 8:30pm
Address: Grinnell, IA

Winterset Skatepark

Winterset Skatepark is a 6,000 square foot facility that was designed by Spohn Ranch. Although this skatepark opened in 2017, it took almost seven years of planning to come to fruition.

The project efforts were started by the Winterset Area Skatepark Committee but it wasn’t until the Winterset Rotary Club got onboard did things really start to kick into gear. Together they raised $180,000 and the Winterset School donated the land for it to get built on.

The build reflects that of a street plaza with a stair set, hubba ledge, handrail, flat bar, A-frame rail, long banked wall, camel hump to launch ramp, and a quarter pipe.

WINTERSET SKATEPARK
Hours: sunrise – sunset
Address: 401-599 N 4th Ave, Winterset, IA

Flora Park Skatepark

Flora Park Skatepark measures in at 16,000 square feet and offers a mix of street and transition elements. The large bowl has varying depths, roll-ins, hips, pool coping, and steel coping.

Street skaters can shred a down ledge, pole jam, euro gap, rails, bank ramps, and quarter pipes. Some of the amenities include a drinking fountain, security lighting, security cameras, and ADA parking spaces.

FLORA SKATEPARK
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Address: 1805 Flora Park Dr, Dubuque, IA

Le Mars Skatepark

Best Skateparks in Iowa

Le Mars Skatepark opened in 2019 and features a bowl with a spine and an extension, ledge, manual pad, and a rail. Showing homage to the Ice Cream Capital of the World, the design includes a bowl mimicking an ice cream scoop that has been lovingly labeled as “the spoon” by locals. Pretty awesome right?

LE MARS SKATEPARK
Hours: sunrise – sunset
Address: Central Ave NW, Le Mars, IA

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