Ten important skateboard spots in Salt Lake City
1. Fairmont Skatepark
Location: Fairmont Park, 1040 E Sugarmont Dr, Salt Lake City
Fairmont Skatepark is one of Salt Lake City’s premier skateboarding destinations. Situated in the heart of the city’s Sugarhouse neighborhood, it’s a large, concrete skatepark that caters to skaters of all levels. Built in 2010, the park features a variety of bowls, ledges, rails, and street elements, making it an ideal spot for both technical skaters and those who enjoy vert skating. The main attraction is the massive bowl section, perfect for experienced skaters looking to catch air or practice tricks. Beginners, however, will enjoy the smaller street section with its well-laid-out rails and ledges.
One of the most exciting things about Fairmont Skatepark is its community. Local skaters frequently hang out here, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. It’s also a spot that frequently hosts events, making it a social hub for Salt Lake’s skateboarding scene.
2. Tanner Skatepark
Location: 2535 W 700 S, Salt Lake City
Tanner Skatepark is another must-visit spot for Salt Lake skaters. Built in the Glendale neighborhood, this park offers a wide range of street-style obstacles and features a massive 8-foot bowl that will test even the most seasoned skaters. One of the defining features of Tanner Skatepark is its long, smooth ledges and wide-open spaces, giving skaters plenty of room to get creative. The park includes rails, banks, and hubbas, perfect for practicing technical tricks like grinds and flips.
The bowl at Tanner is also known for its seamless transition, making it a favorite among skaters who enjoy carving and speed. With so many versatile elements, skaters of all skill levels can find something to enjoy.
3. Liberty Park
Location: 600 E 900 S, Salt Lake City
Though not officially a skatepark, Liberty Park is a popular spot for street skaters who want to practice in a relaxed and scenic environment. With smooth, paved paths, Liberty Park’s perimeter provides ample space for cruising. Many skaters take advantage of the park’s ledges and natural street obstacles, including benches, stairs, and handrails scattered throughout the park.
What makes Liberty Park especially appealing is its vibe. With families and joggers passing by, there’s a sense of freedom that comes with skating in an open, multi-use space. Additionally, the large, shaded trees and proximity to the park’s pond offer a tranquil environment for a post-session break.
4. 9th & 9th Intersection
Location: 900 E 900 S, Salt Lake City
Skateboarding in an urban environment means street spots become an essential part of the experience. The 9th & 9th Intersection in the heart of Salt Lake is one such street spot. Famous for its stairs and rails, this intersection offers a variety of elements for technical street skaters. The ledges here are ideal for grinds and slides, while the stairs provide the perfect challenge for skaters looking to land an impressive trick.
Beyond the obstacles, 9th & 9th has a cool, hip vibe. The surrounding businesses are supportive of the skaters, and the area is known for its eclectic shops and eateries, which offer great pit stops during long skating sessions.
5. Jordan Skatepark
Location: 1060 S 900 W, Salt Lake City
The Jordan Skatepark is one of Salt Lake City’s lesser-known gems. Tucked away near the Jordan River Parkway, it’s a quiet, secluded spot perfect for a chill skate session. The park is relatively small, but it packs a punch with its flowy street section and smooth transitions. Its most notable features include a pyramid, banks, and a funbox, making it ideal for skaters who want to work on their manuals and flip tricks.
The location near the Jordan River also makes for a peaceful skate experience. Skaters can enjoy the scenic river views while working on their tricks, and the nearby greenery provides plenty of shade during the summer months.
6. The Rail Gardens
Location: Hidden gem in Sugarhouse, Salt Lake City
The Rail Gardens is a legendary street spot in Salt Lake City, located in the Sugarhouse neighborhood. Though technically not a skatepark, it’s become an iconic destination for skaters seeking the perfect rail. The spot is renowned for its long, descending handrails, which are ideal for grinds. The area also features ledges and natural gaps that attract both local skaters and pros from around the country.
The Rail Gardens is not just popular with skaters; snowboarders have also used the spot to practice during the winter months, further solidifying its reputation as a go-to location for extreme sports enthusiasts. The combination of challenging rails, gaps, and ledges make it a must-visit spot for any street skater passing through Salt Lake City.
7. West Valley Skatepark (Centennial Park)
Location: 5405 W 3100 S, West Valley City (near Salt Lake City)
Located just outside Salt Lake City, West Valley Skatepark, also known as Centennial Park Skatepark, offers one of the most diverse skateboarding experiences in the region. This massive skatepark is one of the largest in the state and is known for its wide array of obstacles. It has large bowls for vert skaters, smooth banks, funboxes, and an extensive street section with handrails and ledges.
The park’s massive size and variety make it popular among skaters from all over Utah. Whether you’re into vert skating or prefer street tricks, West Valley Skatepark offers something for everyone. Its size also ensures that it rarely feels crowded, even during peak hours.
8. Gallivan Center
Location: 239 S Main St, Salt Lake City
The Gallivan Center is a public plaza in downtown Salt Lake City that doubles as a street skating spot during quieter hours. The area is well-known for its smooth surfaces, rails, and ledges, making it ideal for practicing technical street tricks. The long, wide-open spaces also allow for speed, and skaters often make use of the gentle inclines to practice manuals and flip tricks.
Though not an official skate spot, the Gallivan Center’s modern urban design makes it attractive to skaters who prefer an authentic city skating experience. The surrounding architecture, fountains, and public art pieces make the environment visually appealing while offering ample natural obstacles to skate on.
9. Kearns Skatepark
Location: 5620 Cougar Ln, Kearns, UT (near Salt Lake City)
Kearns Skatepark, located just outside Salt Lake City, is known for its incredible flow and balance between street and transition elements. This park offers everything from large bowls to small ramps, along with rails and stairs for street skaters. The transitions at Kearns are smooth, making it easy to maintain momentum, and the layout allows for a continuous flow between obstacles, which is a major draw for skaters who enjoy line-oriented skating.
The park also features shaded seating areas and a nearby sports complex, making it a good spot for a full day of skating or simply hanging out with friends. Kearns Skatepark is a great location for skaters looking to escape the busier city parks.
10. The U of U Campus (University of Utah)
Location: 201 Presidents Cir, Salt Lake City
The University of Utah campus is an under-the-radar skate spot for street skaters who enjoy seeking out new obstacles in an urban environment. The campus features long stair sets, handrails, ledges, and open plazas that are perfect for street skating. Skaters love the smooth, polished concrete and the variety of obstacles that the campus architecture provides.
While technically skating on campus can be frowned upon by university security, the U of U campus is still a well-loved spot by local street skaters who appreciate the wide range of challenges and smooth surfaces. Skating on the campus is best done during off-peak hours when foot traffic is light.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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