Pickleball in Denver: Where to Play & What to Do After

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport, and there’s no shortage of places to play pickleball in the Denver metro area. 

Pickleball is fun for teens and adults, has various health benefits, and is a unique date idea.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best places to take lessons and play pickleball in Denver. We’ll also share our favorite activity for relaxing and soothing tired muscles after pickleball.

Where to Play Pickleball in Denver

There are many places to play pickleball in Denver, including various recreation centers and parks with indoor and outdoor courts. There’s also a restaurant and bar with pickleball courts just outside the city.

Whether you’re looking to play pickleball with friends or join a group already playing, there’s something for everyone below.

Cook Park Recreation Center

Location: 7100 Cherry Creek S Drive, Denver

Courts: 1 with permanent lines and portable nets

Access: Membership fee or day pass

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 AM to 9 PM; Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturday, 8 AM to 2 PM; closed Sunday

Cook Park Recreation Center has a playground, several athletic fields, and an outdoor pool. It’s the ideal spot for playing indoor pickleball, especially if you want to bring your family along because there’s a lot of entertainment at the center. 

Glenarm Recreation Center

Location: 2800 Glenarm Place, Denver

Courts: 3 with permanent lines (bring your own nets)

Access: Free to the public

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6 AM to 8 PM; Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM; closed Sunday

Glenarm Recreation Center has a fitness center, several sports courts, and an indoor pool. It’s a great family-friendly space to play indoor pickleball if you have your own nets to set up.

Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center

Location: 3880 Newport Street, Denver

Courts: 10, permanent lines and nets

Access: Free to the public

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 6:30 PM; Saturday, 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM; closed Sunday

Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center is one of the most popular places to play pickleball in Denver. There’s plenty of space with ten outdoor courts and other activities, including a lap pool, sauna, and fitness center.

Twentieth Street Recreation Center

Location: 1011 20th St, Denver

Courts: 3 with permanent lines (bring your own nets)

Access: Membership fee or day pass

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM; Saturday, 9 AM to 12:30 PM; closed Sunday

Twentieth Street Recreation Center has indoor pickleball courts available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to bring your own nets. The rec center also has a boxing ring, indoor pool, and pottery studio.

Huston Lake Park

Location: 850 S Bryant Street, Denver

Courts: 4 with permanent lines and nets

Access: Free to the public

Hours: Daily, 5 AM to 11 PM 

Huston Lake Park is a local park with four outdoor courts next to a beautiful lake. It’s the ideal place to play pickleball in a peaceful environment with mountain scenery.

Aztlan Recreation Center

Location: 4435 Navajo Street, Denver

Courts: 1 with permanent lines and portable nets

Access: Membership fee or day pass

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 AM to 8 PM; Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM; closed Sunday

Aztlan Recreation Center has one indoor court available on a first-come, first-served basis. The rec center also has an outdoor pool, a cardio and weight area, and an art room.

Bear Valley Park

Location: 6990 W Dartmouth Avenue, Denver

Courts: 4 with permanent lines and portable nets

Access: Free to the public

Hours: Daily, 5 AM to 11 PM

Bear Valley Park has four outdoor pickleball courts next to a serene creek. The park is a large space with a trail, picnic areas, and a playground.

Washington Park Recreation Center

Location: 701 S Franklin Street, Denver

Courts: 6 with permanent lines (bring your own nets)

Access: Membership fee or day pass

Hours: Times vary for pickleball

Washington Park Recreation Center is at the popular Wash Park in Denver. While the park is open daily, you can only play pickleball during designated days and times when the courts are set up for players – usually once per week. There are three indoor and three outdoor courts.

Gates Tennis Center

Location: 3300 E Bayaud Avenue, Denver

Courts: 15 with permanent lines and nets

Access: Free to the public

Hours: 3300 E Bayaud Avenue, Denver

Gates Tennis Center is one of the best places to play pickleball in Denver because it has the most courts. It’s also a great place to meet other pickleball players because there are regular pickleball events, including a weekly social mixer, group and private classes, and community-style play.

Montclair Recreation Center

Location: 729 Ulster Way, Denver

Courts: 1 with permanent lines and portable nets available

Access: Membership required

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6 AM to 9 PM; Friday, 6 AM to 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM

Montclair Recreation Center has one indoor pickleball court, only available to members. A membership also gives you access to two pools, a gymnasium, a cardio and weight room, and a pottery studio.

Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center

Location: 3380 Holly Street, Denver

Courts: 4 with permanent lines and tennis nets

Access: Free to the public

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 AM to 8 PM; Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM, closed Sunday

Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center is next to Skyland Park and has four outdoor pickleball courts. The lines are on the tennis courts with tennis nets, which are slightly higher than typical pickleball nets. The rec center also has a game room, lap pool, and indoor track.

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center

Location: 550 E Iliff Avenue, Denver

Courts: 3 with permanent lines and portable nets available

Access: Membership required

Hours: Times vary

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center has three indoor courts with dedicated times throughout the week. The rec center also has a game room, an outdoor pool, and cardio and weight area.

Pickleball Food Pub

Locations: 7647 W 88th Avenue, Westminster, and 15453 E Hampden Avenue, Suite B, Aurora

Courts: 10 in Westminster and 3 in Aurora, with more to come

Access: $36 per court Monday through Friday before 5 PM; $40 per court after 5 PM and weekends

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 10 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 8 AM to 10 PM

Pickleball Food Pub is one of the most unique places to play pickleball near Denver. There are two locations: one in Westminster, about 20 minutes north, and another in Aurora, about 30 minutes east of Denver. 

Both locations have a full bar and restaurant. Pickleball Food Pub in Westminster has outdoor and indoor courts, while Aurora has indoor courts and soon an outdoor one. Both locations are growing, with more courts to come.

3rd Shot Pickleball

Location: 3545 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge

Courts: 13 with permanent lines and nets

Access: One-time fee or monthly membership

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 10 PM; Sunday, 7 AM to 8 PM

3rd Shot Pickleball is about 20 minutes from Denver in Wheat Ridge. It’s Colorado’s largest indoor pickleball club and bar, with 13 indoor courts, and has been voted Denver’s best pickleball club. You can reserve your court in advance, and there are also leagues to join.

Where can I learn to play pickleball in Denver?

You can learn to play pickleball at Gates Tennis Center in Denver. There are various group classes and private lessons for adults and juniors, with suitable options for all skill levels and types of learners.

What equipment do I need for Pickleball?

You’ll need a paddle and pickleballs for Denver, which you can find in most sports stores.

Game-Set-Match, Inc. is a racquet sports store in Denver and a great place to buy pickleball equipment and get assistance if needed. They also have demo paddles you can try out.

What to Do After Playing Pickleball in Denver

After you play pickleball in Denver, don’t forget to relax. Oakwell Beer Spa is the perfect place to unwind and treat your mind and body to relaxation. 

At Oakwell Beer Spa, you can enjoy unique spa treatments, including Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, Infrared Sauna, and Zero-Gravity Massage. These treatments are especially helpful for soothing sore muscles and joints so you can play your best!

Book a spa room with your favorite pickleball partner, or stop in for a refreshing beverage in the cozy taproom. Oakwell Beer Spa’s self-serve taproom features craft beer from local Colorado breweries, wine, tea, and kombucha.

Pickleball in Denver: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are excited to enjoy pickleball in the Denver area. 

Book your spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa to relax your tired muscles and feel rejuvenated before your next round of pickleball.