Howard Park Ice Trail Public Skating Times

Howard Park Ice Trail

South Bend, IN · Public skating times & prices

A riverfront park that has hosted skating for generations, now home to a 16,000 square foot ice trail and pond

Public skating at Howard Park Ice Trail: the next 7 days

Currently out of season The page gives the ice skating season as 27 November 2026 to March 2027, with sessions of 80 minutes starting at set times each day. Checked on 4 October 2026. Official schedule update

The Howard Park building with its timber-and-stone entrance canopy at dusk. — Howard Park Ice Trail

The Howard Park building with its timber-and-stone entrance canopy at dusk. Photo: Howard Park / South Bend Venues Parks & Arts · Source

The ice trail and pond seen from above at dusk, curving through the lit park beside the skating buildings. — Howard Park Ice Trail

The ice trail and pond seen from above at dusk, curving through the lit park beside the skating buildings. Photo: Howard Park / South Bend Venues Parks & Arts · Source

South Bend's oldest park, skating since 1958

Howard Park is South Bend's first and oldest park, named in honor of Judge Timothy Howard. Skating here predates any rink: when the ground near the river froze, area residents skated on it. In 1958 a rink was built with a warming house and concessions, and its opening drew a crowd of 4,000 skaters and spectators, with several hundred turned away. That rink was a winter attraction for decades, lasting until 2016.

The park's history helped inform its 2019 redevelopment, and the park now has a 16,000 square foot ice trail and pond. The trail features rolling hills and soft curves around a loop, while the attached pond is an isolated area for learning to skate or playing broomball. The Zamboni typically resurfaces the ice every 80 minutes.

Ten percent of all proceeds support Skate-it-Forward, which covers the cost of skating for children and families who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Before you head out.

Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.

Admission

Skating is $11 for ages 18 and up and $8 for ages 3 to 17, with skate rental included, and $5 for every skater on Tuesdays except Dec. 19 to Jan. 2.

Source checked · 2026-10-04 · Official source

Skates & rentals

Rental skates are included with admission, in children's size 6 through men's size 15; skate sharpening is not available onsite.

Source checked · 2026-10-04 · Official source

Booking & check-in

Sessions are reserved online and the number of skaters per session is limited, so a session can sell out.

Source checked · 2026-10-04 · Official source

Skating with children

A limited number of skate assists for children are available; ask any staff member.

Source checked · 2026-10-04 · Official source

Parking & arrival

Free parking is available in the Zion United Church of Christ lot Monday to Saturday and Sundays after 1 pm, and on the street along Wayne Street and St. Louis Boulevard.

Source checked · 2026-10-04 · Official source

Accessibility

In winter the ice trail has a skate assist sled for skaters with physical disabilities and their companion skater, and accessible parking is on St. Louis Boulevard and in the church lot.

Source checked · 2026-10-04 · Official source

Amenities

Skate sharpening is not available on site.

Source checked · 2026-10-11 · Official source

A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.