The Best Places to Play Pickleball in Austin
Pickleball is picking up steam. If you have not heard of it or tried it out, now you know there is a new game in town that you should try.
It is a combination of badminton and ping pong. It uses a badminton court with a net just two inches shorter than that of tennis using a ping pong bat but a little bigger. The ball, on the other hand, resembles a waffle ball.
Among multiple cities in the United States, Austin is one city where pickleball is becoming bigger and bigger, with a 33-court pickleball facility about to be opened.
But this is not the only Pickleball Austin facility. Here is a list of all the places you can go and exercise while having immense fun with friends, family, and strangers.
Pickleball Austin Facilities to Break a Sweat and Enjoy a Sweet Time
Here are some places you can enjoy pickleball in Austin.
1. Alamo Recreation Center – Location: 2100 Alamo St, Austin, TX 78722
If you do not have plans on Thursday between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, you can find your way to Alamo Recreational center. This is among the Pickleball Austin places where you can find outdoor courts. They have three outdoor covered courts, but you have to bring your net.
2. Austin Tennis Center – Location: 7800 Johnny Morris Rd, Austin, TX 78724
As one of Austin’s pickleball locations, the Austin Tennis Center boasts eight outdoor courts. They usually operate on weekdays between 8:30 AM and 10:00 PM; hence the lighted courts are convenient. However, on weekends they operate between 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM. The courts have permanent courts. Furthermore, you have to pay a small fee of $4 per 60 minutes per court.
3. Bouldin Acres – Location: 2027 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Bouldin Acres is among the premier pickleball Austin locations. First, they are not a public facility; hence all games played, at the court must be privately booked. Therefore, you ought to make a reservation a week in advance to play at this facility. However, you can cancel your reservation at least an hour before the reserved time.
Bouldin Acres is also very strict as you have to report to a host upon arrival. They also do not allow kids younger than 12 years without permission and require proper gear, including athletic shoes, before stepping on the court.
You must incur between $10 and $20 per half hour for this exclusivity, depending on the time and date you want to play. If you do not have a paddle, you can hire one for $2.50, but you must have a valid ID.
4. Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center – Location: 808 Nile St, Austin, TX 78702
This is a pickleball Austin facility that is dedicated to seniors. They have one indoor pickleball court and hold open plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:00 PM to 5:45 PM.
5. Dittmar Recreation Center – Location: 1009 W Dittmar Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Dittmar Recreational center is among Austin pickleball facilities that are free of charge. They have four pickleball courts and operate for three hours on the weekdays between 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. However, they open early on Saturday, and you can play there between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
6. Dottie Jordan Recreation Center – Location: 2803 Loyola Ln, Austin, TX 78723
If you need a midweek fun activity, Dottie Jordan Recreational Center is a pickleball center you can visit. They operate between 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesdays. Nevertheless, this facility is also very friendly to seniors.
7. Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia Recreation Center – Location: 1201 E Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78753
At the “Gus” pickleball Austin recreational center, you can only enjoy pickleball for only two hours on Saturdays. They offer pickleball between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
8. Hancock Recreation Center – Location: 811 E 41st St, Austin, TX 78751
The Hancock is another facility in Austin where you must bring your net. The pickleball court in this facility is in a shared space with a basketball court. As a bonus, you are allowed to bring along your dog to cheer you on as you play.
9. Pan American Neighborhood Park – Location: 2100 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78702
The Pan American Neighborhood Park is free of charge. The park has three outdoor courts for your pickleball adventures. In addition, you can play even at night because all three courts are well lit.
10. Rosewood Neighborhood Park – Location: 2300 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
The pickleball courts in this park are also shared with tennis. Furthermore, you have to bring your net as you come to play. Playing here is free of charge. There are also no time limits as to when you can play.
11. South Austin Recreation Center – Location: 1100 Cumberland Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Open play for the South Austin Recreational Center is on Mondays between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. So, if you need to get rid of the Monday blues and jumpstart your week, you can take advantage of the courts available in this facility. There are four indoor courts and two outdoor courts.
12. Bethany Lutheran Church & Preschool – Location: 3701 W Slaughter Ln, Austin
You can enjoy pickleball at the Bethany Lutheran Church for a $2 admission fee. The community here is very welcoming, and if you are a beginner in pickleball, you will be taught the basics. They also encourage people of all skill levels at pickleball to go to their court.
13. Cedar Park Recreation Center – Location: 1435 Main St, Cedar Park, TX 78613
At a $5 admission fee, you can access the six Cedar Park Recreational Center pickleball courts. At this facility, beginners get to play on Monday between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. On the other hand, open play happens on Tuesdays and Fridays between 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
14. Shalom Austin JCC – Location: 7300 Hart Ln, Austin, TX 78731
The Shalom Austin JCC pickleball courts are free for JCC members but cost a $10 admission fee for non-JCC members. They have four courts which are accessed at different times on different days. For example, on Thursdays, you can play on the courts between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM, on Friday at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and Saturday between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Where Can You Test Your Pickleball Skills in the Pickleball Austin Leagues?
If you are competitive, we have several Austin leagues where you can show off your pickleball skills while squaring it out with people with the same skill level.
Great Austin Pickleball League
TheGreat Austin Pickleball League is among the great pickleball leagues in Austin to try and gauge your skill level. In this league, you get to play three players on the game night. Each game goes up to 15 points, and you can win by one. This means every game night there are four competitors.
After the games for the night, the one in the first position advances to the next week’s games. The last person is dropped from the league. The middle two stay in that court the following week for a second chance.
Austin Sports and Social Club League
The Austin Sports and Social Club League is a team league. You are required to compete in a team of a minimum of three players. If you have a team, you can register as a team; however, if you do not have a team, you can sign-up as an individual and be paired with a team.
The league runs for seven weeks with a match every week, with a minimum of three games. The games are usually doubles.
Pickleball Ladder League at Hill Country Indoor League
The Pickleball Ladder League at Hill Country Indoor League is an individual league where you play yourself up the ladder upon good performance. To join the league, you must register for $60, but unlimited access to the league’s courts is $40 per month, even for non-league members.
