Where Should I Put a Skate Ramp? A Practical Backyard Setup Guide
Author: WA Skate Ramps
Planning a backyard skate ramp? Need advice choosing the right spot, surface and layout for your backyard skate spot? Learn which ground surfaces work, why level setup and drainage matter, how to allow for run-up, access, weather and future obstacles.
The best place for a skate ramp is on a firm, level, well-drained surface with enough clear riding space around it.
Concrete and stable paving are usually the easiest options. Grass can work for some ramp installations with proper preparation and level support, but you need to think about more than what sits underneath the ramp. Run-up, roll-away, drainage, access, weather and nearby fences or walls all matter too.
Getting the location right before the ramp arrives will make assembly easier, help the ramp sit properly and give you a much better area to actually skate.
Start With the Full Skate Area, Not Just the Ramp Dimensions
A common mistake is measuring the ramp itself and deciding, "Yep, that'll fit."
Technically fitting and having a good skateable setup are two different things.
Before choosing the spot, think about:
- The full assembled length and width of the ramp
- Run-up space
- Roll-away space
- Access to platforms
- Room to walk around the structure
- Fences, walls, vehicles and other hard obstacles
- Ground level and stability
- Drainage
- Access for carrying the ramp components into the area
- Anything you may want to add later
If you're planning a mini ramp specifically, our existing guide on where you can build your mini ramp also covers the basic surface and footing requirements.
What Is the Best Surface for a Skate Ramp?
Concrete
A solid, reasonably level concrete slab is one of the easiest surfaces to work with.
It gives the ramp stable support and also provides a smooth riding surface for quarter pipes and other obstacles that need a run-up.
Still check the slab rather than assuming all concrete is perfect. Look for:
- Major slopes
- Uneven joins
- Large cracks
- Drainage problems
- Raised edges
- Obstacles in the riding line
Pavers
Brick paving or similar hard paving can also work well if it is stable and reasonably level.
Check for loose, sunken or rocking pavers before building the ramp. Small changes in ground level can become much more noticeable once a large structure is sitting across them.
If the rider will be rolling directly across the paving, also make sure the riding line is smooth enough for small skateboard or scooter wheels.
Compacted or Other Hard Ground
A firm compacted area may be able to support parts of a ramp setup, but treat it differently from a smooth concrete skate surface.
The structure still needs stable, level support. A quarter pipe, kicker or other standalone obstacle also needs a smooth rideable approach and roll-away. Loose gravel, soft dirt or badly rutted ground is not a good substitute for proper flat ground.
Grass or Lawn
Yes, a mini ramp can be installed over a lawn area, but we do not recommend simply dropping the structure straight onto soft grass and hoping for the best.
The ramp needs firm, level support. One practical approach is to use properly levelled paving blocks or concrete slabs as footings beneath the structure. Raising the ramp slightly also allows airflow underneath rather than trapping moisture against the ground.
For a standalone Quarter Pipe, remember that the grass in front of it still will not give you a skateable run-up. You need suitable hard ground where the wheels actually travel.
Does a Skate Ramp Need to Be Level?
Yes, the ramp itself should sit level, stable and properly supported.
The whole backyard does not need to look like it was levelled with a laser for an Olympic stadium, but a significant slope or uneven support can cause problems.
A ramp sitting unevenly may rock, twist or place parts of the structure under loads they were not intended to carry.
Sort out obvious low spots, soft ground and unstable support before assembly rather than trying to wedge random scraps underneath the ramp afterwards.
Allow Enough Run-Up and Roll-Away
This matters most with standalone ramps and obstacles.
A quarter pipe needs enough clear flat ground for the rider to approach it at the speed they need and roll away after the trick.
The same applies when using boxes, rails, kickers and other obstacles.
There is no magic run-up distance that suits every rider or ramp. The amount needed changes with:
- Ramp height
- Rider ability
- Skateboard, scooter, BMX or roller use
- The trick being attempted
- The speed required
More clear riding space is generally far more useful than squeezing the ramp into the absolute minimum footprint.
Leave Useful Clearance Around the Ramp
Do not jam the ramp hard against a fence simply because the tape measure says it fits.
You need to think about how riders will:
- Get onto the platforms
- Step off the ramp
- Walk around it
- Retrieve a board or scooter
- Access the ramp for inspection and maintenance
There is no universal fence-clearance measurement because ramp sizes and site layouts vary. The important thing is avoiding immediate hard obstructions where riders need access or space to move.
Think About Drainage Before You Build
Water sitting underneath or around an outdoor ramp is not your mate.
A good site should let rainwater drain away rather than collecting under the structure.
Look for:
- Low points where puddles form
- Garden sprinklers spraying the ramp
- Downpipes emptying beside it
- Soil or garden beds that stay wet
- Leaves and debris building up underneath
If you are installing a timber ramp outdoors, suitable materials and ongoing protection matter as well. SkateSeal is WA Skate Ramps' protective coating developed specifically for timber skate ramps.
Check Access Before the Ramp Arrives
This one is easy to forget.
Your backyard might have enough room for the assembled ramp, but can you actually get all the components there?
Measure:
- Side gates
- Doorways
- Garage access
- Narrow pathways
- Stairs
- Tight corners
- Anything overhead that could block large components
WA Skate Ramps kits arrive as pre-cut components rather than one giant assembled ramp, which makes home installation much easier, but larger parts still need a clear path to the build area.
Can I Put a Skate Ramp in a Garage or Shed?
Absolutely, if the building has enough space.
An indoor location can be a brilliant option because the ramp is protected from weather, but check more than the floor area.
Measure the height of the ramp and make sure there is enough headroom above the platform and riding area. Also consider doors, lighting and access around the structure.
WA Skate Ramps offers both indoor and outdoor Mini Ramps & Half Pipes. Our Indoor vs Outdoor Mini Ramp Guide goes deeper into the differences.
Sun and Weather Exposure
If you have a choice between two outdoor locations, consider how exposed each one is.
A fully exposed position will see more rain, sun, wind and debris than a protected position under suitable cover.
That does not mean every outdoor ramp needs a roof. It simply means location becomes part of your maintenance plan.
Choose the correct indoor or outdoor ramp option for the location rather than putting an indoor ramp outside and trying to make it cope afterwards.
What About Noise and the Neighbours?
Skate ramps make noise.
If you have several possible locations, think about bedrooms, shared fences, neighbouring homes and the times the ramp is likely to be used.
Moving a setup farther from a neighbour's bedroom window may save everyone a headache later.
Also think about whether a wall, shed or enclosed corner is likely to bounce noise around the property.
Plan for Future Obstacles
If your long-term plan is a little backyard skatepark, do not automatically put your first ramp right in the middle of the only good flat ground you have.
Think ahead.
You might eventually want to add:
- A second quarter pipe
- A rail
- A kicker
- A manual pad
- A grind box or ledge
Keeping a useful strip of flat ground between obstacles can create far more skateable lines later. Our Skate Boxes & Ledges are a good example of obstacles that can be added once the main layout is sorted.
Backyard Skate Ramp Measuring Checklist
Before ordering, write down:
- Total available length.
- Total available width.
- Surface type.
- Any obvious slope or uneven ground.
- Run-up and roll-away space.
- Distance to fences, walls and buildings.
- Headroom if under cover.
- Gate or access width.
- Drainage or wet areas.
- Where future obstacles could go.
You can find more planning and product advice in our Skate Ramp Buying Guides.
Want Us to Check Your Space?
Got a photo and measurements of your space? Send them through and we'll help work out what will fit.
Contact WA Skate Ramps with your photos and measurements.
Build & Skate Your Happy Place.
Backyard Skate Ramp Setup FAQs
A mini ramp can be installed over a grass area if the ramp is properly supported on firm, level footings or paving blocks and raised to allow airflow underneath. Grass itself is not a suitable riding surface for the run-up to a standalone quarter pipe or similar obstacle.
A flat, solid concrete slab is one of the easiest surfaces for a skate ramp because it provides stable support and a smooth riding area. The slab should still be checked for slope, cracks, drainage and enough clear space around the ramp.
Yes, provided the paving is firm, reasonably level and stable. Fix loose or rocking pavers first and make sure there are no major lips or uneven sections where the ramp or rider needs to travel.
The ramp should sit level and stable. A site does not need to be mathematically perfect, but significant slope, soft ground or uneven support should be corrected before assembly so the ramp is not twisted or rocking.
There is no single distance that suits every ramp. Allow a clear, straight approach and roll-away that matches the ramp, rider and tricks being attempted, and keep the area free from vehicles, walls and other immediate obstacles.
There is no universal minimum distance. Leave enough room for riders to access platforms, step off the ramp and move around it without an immediate hard obstruction. Larger or faster ramps generally need more surrounding clearance.
Yes, if the space is large enough for the full assembled ramp and provides enough headroom, lighting, access and clearance for the riders. Use a ramp and materials suited to an indoor location.
