If your kids travel with a scooter, skateboard, or BMX helmet practically glued to their heads, add the Banff Skatepark to your must-do list. Set in Sundance Park, just across the Bow River from downtown Banff, this concrete playground delivers big-mountain views and hours of free, active family fun, perfect between hikes, after naps, or on a non-hiking rest day.
Where to Find the Banff Skatepark
The Banff Skatepark is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Banff in Sundance Park (formerly known as the Banff Recreation Grounds). Its convenient location means it is an easy walk (or skate) for families visiting and staying in downtown Banff.
How to Get to the Banff Skatepark:
- By Car: Follow Sundance Road into Sundance Park. The skate park is immediately west of the parking lot, and across the street from the horse stables.
There is a modest parking lot next to the Banff Skatepark, but with all the amazing facilities in Sundance Park, it can fill up quickly. If you are staying in downtown Banff, it’s best to walk or skate over. - By Skateboard: From downtown Banff, cross the Bow River via the Nancy Pauw Bridge. Once across the bridge keep skating past the Banff pump track and the off-leash dog park. The Banff Skatepark is just past the parking lot.
Directions to the Banff Skatepark
What Makes the Banff Skatepark Great for Families
It’s Designed For All Skill Levels
The Banff Skatepark is a really awesome skateboarding park – the layout blends bowls, a flowing snake-run style section, and a varied street plaza (think rails, ledges, banks, stairs) so kids can progress at their own pace. Confident riders can string lines together while beginners stick to mellow features with lots of room to practice.
Kid-Friendly Hours
The skatepark is open dawn to dusk (weather permitting), with the 9 a.m. – noon window recommended for children, youth, and beginner skaters; a naturally calmer time that’s ideal for new riders to build confidence. The surface is closed when it’s raining or snowing; check field conditions before you go.
All of the pictures of my son enjoying Banff skatepark were taken around 10 am on a Saturday morning in August – in the height of the peak season. There were a couple of other skaters there, but he practically had the park to himself.
A Full Day In One Spot
Because it’s in Sundance Park, you can easily pair a skate session with a picnic, the nearby Sundance playground (one of the best playgrounds in Banff), a walk along the Bow River, or even book a horseback riding trip from the nearby Banff stables.
If your kids are bringing their bike to the Banff Skatepark, we highly recommend they also check out the nearby Banff Pump Track!
Sundance Park is one of those rare places where there is something for everyone – from toddlers, to older kids and adults.
What To Bring to the Banff SkatePark
Gear: Skateboards, scooters, BMX and mountain bikes all make appearances here; whatever your kids ride. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18, while pads and gloves are smart additions for beginners. (Leave anything motorized at home; e-scooters and other motorized devices aren’t appropriate in the park or on most sidewalks in town.)
Footwear & layers: Grippy shoes and layered clothing work best – mornings can be cool even in July.
Water & snacks: There’s no concession right at the skatepark, so pack water bottles and easy snacks.
Safety Tips
Start slow: Warm up on the flattest sections and practice dropping in on the lowest ramps first.
Ride one direction & look before you roll: Teach kids to scan for traffic before entering features.
Seasonality: The surface is unusable when wet or icy, and winter brings frequent snow cover. If the surface looks damp, skip it as slick concrete and wheels don’t mix. In summer, aim for morning sessions for fewer people and softer light.
Share the space: The Banff Skatepark is a very popular local spot. A quick “mind if I drop?” and waiting your turn goes a long way.
Final Thoughts – Banff SkatePArk
As a local family, we love the Banff Skatepark because it’s easy, active, and versatile. There’s no tickets to buy or schedule to juggle, and the design truly works for mixed ages and abilities. We love visiting during the morning ‘beginner window’ as it takes the pressure off our young rider.
For non-skaters, the setting makes watching your kids at the skatepark all the more enjoyable. With mountain peaks all around and the Bow River just minutes away, the setting makes it feel like a uniquely Banff experience, not just “another skateboarding park.”
For families who travel with wheels, the Banff Skatepark is an instant add to your itinerary – and even if you don’t, it’s a great place to let kids try something new while you enjoy coffee on the sidelines.
If you’re looking for free, family-friendly things to do in Banff, the Banff Skatepark is a slam-dunk. Plan a morning session, pack snacks, and let the kids flow while the Rockies do their thing in the background.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITY BOOK
As locals and fellow family travelers, we understand the importance of keeping kids entertained in the car. That’s why we created this Banff Activity Book for Kids! Filled with Banff themed activities helping your kids learn about the area!
