New Braunfels sits right in the sweet spot of Central Texas — and it turns out that's true for skateparks too. The city has one of the best free public skateparks in the region right in town, and within a short drive you'll find well-designed concrete parks in Seguin, Schertz, and Live Oak that give kids of every skill level somewhere to progress. Whether your child is just learning to push or ready to drop into a flow bowl for the first time, bring a helmet and some water and make a morning of it.
Top-Rated Skate Parks Near New Braunfels
1. JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field) (New Braunfels)
Location: 250 South Grape Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130
New Braunfels👶 Best for ages All skill levels — protective gear recommended💲 Free🚗 1.6 mi
JAWS Skatepark is where young skaters in New Braunfels grow up: The 17,000-square-foot all-concrete layout at Ernest Eikel Field is designed for progression — not just one skill level. Little ones can lap pump bumps without getting in anyone's way, while intermediate kids build confidence on the flow bowl's gentle roll-in. When your child is ready for a real challenge, the pool replica's over-vertical transitions are waiting. It's completely free and open dawn to dusk daily. The 4-acre surrounding park has a playground and pavilion, so the whole trip works even for kids who aren't skating.
Good to know: 17,000 sq ft skate surface (25,000 sq ft total), large flow bowl with roll-in, over-vertical pocket, spine feature, street course, pool replica with tight transitions, snake run, built-in mini ramp, pump bumps, 4-acre park, playground, pavilion, picnic tables, walking path, public restrooms, water fountains, parking.
Parent tip: Pair a JAWS morning session with tubing on the Comal or Guadalupe River in the afternoon — Rockin' R River Rides is just minutes away. Perfect full-day summer trip.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field) page.
2. Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark (Seguin)
Out of New Braunfels, plan for about 18 min in the car — makes Seguin a realistic weekday-afternoon option from New Braunfels.
Location: 919 San Antonio Avenue, Seguin, TX 78155
Named for a local skater who passed away in 2009, MTR is Seguin's way of honoring one of their own: Michael Thomas Raetzsch's skatepark opened in 2015 with Tony Hawk Foundation backing, and the community's ownership of it shows — the park is consistently well-maintained. The 12,000-square-foot street layout has stair sets, rails, ledges, bank gaps, and banked walls that give intermediate and progressing skaters real variety. LED lights keep the park usable after dark, which matters enormously in Texas heat. If your kid is past the beginner stage and wants a street-focused challenge, this is the first call from New Braunfels.
Good to know: 12,000 sq ft street plaza, stair sets, down rails, flat rails, London bank gaps, China bank gaps, boulder ledges, banked walls, LED lighting, parking.
Parent tip: Seguin is a quick 20-minute drive east of New Braunfels on US-90. Combine the skate session with a walk along the Guadalupe River park nearby — there's shade and picnic tables just a few blocks away.
Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark city page.
3. Schertz Skatepark (Schertz)
If you're based in New Braunfels, it's about 19 min without traffic — worth combining with other Schertz stops.
Location: 840 Community Circle, Schertz, TX 78154
For families in Schertz, this park is a no-brainer before making the longer haul into San Antonio: The skatepark's concentric circle layout is smart design for family visits — riders flow in the same direction rather than crisscrossing, which cuts the anxiety of watching your kid navigate a chaotic course. Multi-level manual pads help beginners build real skills at low stakes. Z ledge and flat rail obstacles offer enough variety to keep returning for progress. It's Phase 1 of a planned three-phase buildout, so the park will keep growing. Community Circle location means restrooms and other amenities are nearby.
Good to know: three concentric circle design, themed Z ledge feature, flat rail with approach and run-out space, multi-elevated manual pad zone, street features, rails, parking.
Parent tip: Call (210) 619-1850 to confirm current hours — they're seasonal and not always posted online. The park sits next to a baseball complex with restrooms nearby.
Planning a specific day? Check the Schertz Skatepark status page for closures first.
4. The Oaks Plaza Skate Park (Live Oak)
From New Braunfels, budget about 24 min each way — but Live Oak has enough to fill a full morning out.
Location: 18001 Park Drive, Live Oak, TX 78233
The Oaks Plaza Skate Park is designed so different skill levels aren't constantly in each other's way: The upper tier has a manual pad and bank — low-stakes obstacles where beginners can practice without traffic bearing down on them. The lower tier has a stair set and down rail that give older, more experienced skaters a separate challenge. The real bonus in Live Oak is the tree canopy: genuine shade from mature Live Oak trees makes afternoon visits survivable when every other concrete park in the region is baking. Worth noting before you go — call ahead to confirm hours.
Good to know: bi-level plaza style, upper level manual pad and turn-around wall, lower section flat rail, ledge, quarter pipe, stair set, down rail, bank, shade from Live Oak tree canopies.
Parent tip: Call Live Oak Parks at (210) 653-9140 to confirm hours before visiting — they're not consistently posted online. The park is inside Main City Park, which also has a playground and pavilion.
Before you load up the car, review the The Oaks Plaza Skate Park page for maintenance or event closures.
5. Converse North Park Skatepark (Converse)
Not a quick stop from New Braunfels at 17.3 miles — best combined with other Converse stops to make the drive worthwhile.
Location: 8200 Spring Town Street, Converse, TX 78109
If your skater kid has siblings with completely different interests, Converse North Park might be your best option in the region: The skatepark has the standard amenity set — ramps, rails, and bowls — but the surrounding complex is what makes it worth the 17-mile drive from New Braunfels. A lake, zipline playground, basketball and volleyball courts, walking trails, and bike paths spread across enough space that everyone can do their own thing. Plan a full afternoon rather than a quick visit. The distance is the only real cost — the park itself is free and the setup handles mixed-interest families well.
Good to know: ramps, rails, bowls, picnic areas, pavilion, basketball courts, volleyball courts, football field, lake, walking trails, playgrounds with zipline swing, biking paths.
Parent tip: Pack bikes or scooters — the biking paths loop around the lake and kids can alternate between the skatepark and trail without anyone getting back in the car.
Save yourself a wasted trip — the Converse North Park Skatepark page lists current hours and closures.
How we picked these
We focused on parks within 20 miles of New Braunfels with concrete or hard-surface construction, a mix of terrain types for progression, and publicly accessible hours. JAWS Skatepark was the obvious anchor pick — it's one of the best free parks in Central Texas and it's right in town. We excluded Boerne Skate Park, which is temporarily closed through spring 2027 for park construction.Planning your visit
JAWS Skatepark in New Braunfels is open dawn to dusk (approximately 6 AM to midnight) daily and is free with no registration required. Helmets and pads are strongly recommended at all parks listed here. Texas summers make morning sessions (before 10 AM) and evening sessions (after 6 PM) the most comfortable — bring water regardless of the time. Call ahead for Schertz and Live Oak parks to confirm current hours before making the drive.For more kids' events near New Braunfels this week, see the New Braunfels events page.
New Braunfels Skate Park Checklist
- Helmet and wrist guards every time — wrists take the worst of a first-year fall. Knee and elbow pads matter too, but wrist guards are the one piece new riders skip and regret.
- Closed-toe shoes with flat soles — flip-flops and running shoes slide off the board. Skate shoes or any flat sneaker grip the deck far better.
- Water and sunscreen — JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field) and most New Braunfels-area skate parks are unshaded concrete that radiates heat by late morning. There's rarely a fountain on site, so bring your own bottle.
- Check the board before you go — snug trucks and fresh grip tape make a nervous beginner far steadier than a hand-me-down with worn bearings.
Beginner, Bowl & Street Skate Spots Near New Braunfels
- Beginner-friendly — JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field), Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark and The Oaks Plaza Skate Park have a pump track, flat skate plaza, or mellow flow section where a first-timer can roll without dropping into anything steep.
- Bowls & transition — JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field), The Oaks Plaza Skate Park and Converse North Park Skatepark have bowls, pools, or vert for riders ready to carry speed through transition.
- Street course — JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field), Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark, Schertz Skatepark and The Oaks Plaza Skate Park have ledges, rails, stairs, and manual pads for street-style skating.
- Lights for evening sessions — Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark has lights, so summer sessions can run past sunset once the concrete finally cools.
- Scooters & bikes OK — Converse North Park Skatepark allow scooters and bikes too, not just skateboards — confirm the posted rules before you go.
Skate Park Etiquette for New Riders
- Go at off-peak times to start — Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark and the other New Braunfels parks are quietest on weekday mornings. Fewer older riders means a beginner can take the ramps at their own pace without feeling in the way.
- Don't sit or stand in the bowl or on the ramps — that's where riders land and where collisions happen. Watch from the edge and step in only when it's your turn.
- Learn the flow before dropping in — riders take turns on a loose right-of-way. A minute of watching shows the pattern and saves a pile-up.
- Start small and low — flat ground and the smallest bank first. Confidence on the easy features comes faster than kids expect, and it's how every rider here started.
New Braunfels Skate Parks — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best skate parks for kids near New Braunfels, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout skate parks within about 20 miles of New Braunfels. The top picks include JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field), Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark and Schertz Skatepark — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are skate parks near New Braunfels free?
Yes — every skate park in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field), Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark, Schertz Skatepark or any of the other picks.
What is the closest skate park to New Braunfels?
JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field) is the closest pick at about 1.6 miles from New Braunfels. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon — short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
Are skate parks near New Braunfels free, and do kids need helmets?
Almost every public skate park in the New Braunfels area is free to use — no membership or day pass. Helmets aren't always staff-enforced, but most cities post them as required for under-18 riders, and pads are smart for beginners. Lights and hours vary by park, so check the official page linked on each card before an evening session.
Which skate parks near New Braunfels are best for beginners?
JAWS Skatepark (Ernest Eikel Field), Michael Thomas Raetzsch (MTR) Skatepark, The Oaks Plaza Skate Park are the easiest starts — look for a pump track, a flat skate plaza, or a mellow flow bowl where a new rider can build confidence before dropping into anything steep. A helmet and pads make the first few visits far less scary. Check each card above for what each park has.