We were planning a trip to Sedona when I came across Jack Malmgren Skate Park. I had heard it was surrounded by beautiful scenery, but the experience turned out to be far more than I imagined. It quickly became one of the highlights of the entire trip. I’d love to share what made this skate park so memorable.
Sedona, the most beautiful town in America
I had heard the name Sedona many times, but this was my first time actually visiting. It’s often called the most beautiful town in America, and now I can completely see why. I loved it so much, I honestly thought, “I could live here!”
We rented a car in Phoenix and drove north to Sedona. It took about two and a half hours on I-17. As we left the city behind, the scenery quickly shifted, urban streets gave way to dry desert land, and eventually to towering red rock formations that began to fill the horizon. With every change in the view from the car window, it felt like we were slipping into a different world.
I’ve always loved California’s deep blue skies, but the sky in Sedona has an entirely different kind of magic. It’s vast, still, and somehow carries a sacred feeling. The red rock landscape looks like something from another planet, and when the sunlight hits the cliffs just right, the entire town seems to glow with a soft flame. I couldn’t take my eyes off the view.
A skate park with incredible views all around
When I travel, I try to stop by a local skatepark if I have the time and if there happens to be one nearby. But this trip to Sedona was different. Ever since I found Jack Malmgren Skate Park before the trip, it quickly became one of the main reasons I wanted to come. To be honest, I was looking forward to it so much that I felt like I was going to Sedona just for this park.
Even during the drive, I couldn’t stop feeling excited. And when we finally arrived, I was amazed. Just beyond the skatepark stretched an incredible view. Red rock mountains surrounded the space in every direction. It was one of those places that simply leaves you speechless. I couldn’t believe there was a skatepark in a location like this!
As someone still learning, I usually feel more comfortable skating when it’s not too crowded. So I went in the morning, and that turned out to be a great choice. Only a few local skaters were there, enjoying their own rhythm. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. I took a deep breath and felt truly lucky to be standing there.
I cruised down the straight bank and slowly made my way around the park a few times, taking it all in. My skills are still limited, but that didn’t matter. Surrounded by the massive red rocks, I felt as if I was part of the landscape itself. It was a calm and surreal kind of happiness that I won’t forget. This place is nothing like a city skatepark. It offered something much deeper.
Views Beyond Imagination
Looking back at the photos now, I still can’t believe how lucky we were. The park was nearly empty, and the view was calm, vast, and almost unreal. Just watching the local skaters glide through that stunning backdrop made me feel quietly happy. It was enough simply to share the same air in a place like that.
I can’t help but feel a bit envious of those who get to skate here every day. The whole place felt like something from another dimension. It was strange, beautiful, and almost dreamlike. Even now, whenever I remember that view, I find myself letting out a quiet sigh.
Of course, I love skating myself, but I also truly enjoy watching skilled skaters in their element. If I had come here on a solo trip, with no time constraints, I think I could have spent the entire day doing nothing but sitting there, taking it all in. And honestly, I don’t think I would have gotten bored at all.
A Journey Beyond Words
Skateboarding is fun wherever you do it, there’s no doubt about that. But Jack Malmgren Skatepark was something truly special, immersed in a feeling of being drawn into nature. It was nothing like any city park.
Surrounded by a landscape filled with the energy of the earth itself, I wasn’t just skating. I was taking in the air, the light, and the stillness all around me. Even now, just remembering that moment makes me sigh. It was a view I could only have found in Sedona, and the experience left a lasting impression.
This is the kind of place that makes you want to return again and again. If you love skateboarding, I truly hope you get the chance to visit.
Travel Notes
Jack Malmgren Memorial Skate Park
Address: 525 Posse Ground Road, Sedona, Arizona