Sharing is caring!
Pickleball in Des Moines, Iowa
Pickleball has become increasingly popular over the past few years and is the fastest-growing sport. Des Moines has caught onto the trend and has classes and courts all over the metro for families to enjoy the sport of pickleball. Des Moines Metro Pickleball Club is a local club and a wealth of information. It is a good place to begin your education in pickleball. No matter your skill level we have gathered all the details on where you can find, classes, outdoor pickleball courts, indoor pickleball courts, and more in Des Moines, Iowa.
Pickleball – What is it?
Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a badminton-size court. In 1965, three fathers whose children had grown bored with summer activities invented the game. It can be played in singles or doubles. It is a low-impact activity, making it perfect for people of all skill levels.
Pickleball Classes in Des Moines
Dink’s Pickleball
Address: 3800 Merle Hay Rd Suite 1000, Des Moines in Merle Hay Mall.
Website: https://dinkspickleballdsm.com/
Life Time Fitness
Address: 11911 Hickman Road, West Des Moines
If you are a Life Time member you can take advantage of their dedicated pickleball courts. They offer lessons and open play time.
Parks and Recreation
Check your local Parks and Recreation for other class options.
Smash Park-Pickleball Pros
Address: 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Other information: Contact one of the Pros to set up a time. Fees will be handled with your pickleball pro.
Valley Community Center
Address: 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
When: Wednesdays
- Pickleball 101 12:00 PM-1:30 PM Beginners
- Pickleball 102 12:00 PM-1:30 PM Advanced Beginners
- Pickleball 103 12:00 PM-12:45 PM Intermediate Training (two times a month only)
- Sign up here
Cost: Free
Indoor Options
Dink’s Pickleball
Address: 3800 Merle Hay Rd Suite 1000, Des Moines in Merle Hay Mall.
When: 7 days a week. Various hours.
Cost: Open play and membership options are available.
Notes: They do offer an Intro to Pickleball Class.
Website: https://dinkspickleballdsm.com/
Fourmile Community Recreation Center
Address: 3711 Easton Blvd, Des Moines
When: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 PM-3:00 PM and Wednesday 12:00 PM-8:00 PM
Cost: $2 per day or $15 per month
Notes: Bring your paddles/balls
Website: https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R107.php
The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex
Address: 6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines
When: Check the schedule here and upcoming events.
Cost: $3 per person
Notes: Bring your own paddle/balls
Pioneer Columbus Recreation Center
Address: 2100 SE 5th Street, Des Moines
When: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $2 per day or $15 per month
Website: https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R108.php
Smash Park
Smash Park is a great venue and one of the original businesses that brought pickleball to Des Moines! Take a look at all the details on this specific location below.
Address: 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines
When:
- Monday – Thursday, 8 AM – 12 PM: $24/hour
- Monday – Thursday, 12 PM – 11 PM: $30/hour
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: $40/hour
Other information: 4 indoor courts, bring your own paddles/balls or rent
Website: https://app.smashpark.com/home
Valley Community Center
Address: 4444 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines
When: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00 AM-10:00 AM (18+)
Cost: $2 per person
Other information: Paddles available to borrow
Website: https://www.valleycommunity.center/pickleball
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Address: Various locations
Website: https://www.dmymca.org/sports-activities/other-sports
YMCA Members can join fellow pickleball players at Indianola, Walnut Creek, Waukee, or Wellmark Ys.
Outdoor Options
Find a Des Moines park or another metro park! Many parks in the Des Moines area offer outdoor courts specified for pickleball or tennis courts marked to play either sport and practice your skills.
Doanes Park
Address: 4900 Doanes Rd., Pleasant Hill
Park Details: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/doanes-park-pleasant-hill-iowa/
Fox Creek Park
Address: 522 NE Westgate Drive, Waukee
Park Details: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/fox-creek-park-in-waukee-iowa/
Jordan Park
Address: 600 E Wall Ave, Des Moines
Website: https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R63.php
McCollum Waveland Tennis Complex
Address: 4806 Observatory Rd, Des Moines
Website: https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R68.php
Smash Park
Address: 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines
When: Sunday-Saturday 8:00 AM-11:00 PM
Cost: $10 per hour (Bring your own equipment or rent for a fee)
Website: https://smashpark.com/west-des-moines/pickleball/
Valley View Park
Address: 225 88th Street, West Des Moines
Website: https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/50/1433
Walker Johnston Park
Address: 9000 Douglas Avenue, Urbandale
Website: https://www.urbandale.org/facilities/facility/details/walker-johnston-park-39′
Wildwood Park
Address: 15166 Wildwood Dr, Clive
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/wildwood-park-clive-iowa/
Tennis/Pickleball Courts in Des Moines
Many parks have tennis courts and have marked them as pickleball courts. Take a look at the list below.
American Legion Park
Address: 301 Vine St, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/legion-park-sprayground-west-des-moines-iowa/
Birdland Park
Address: 2100 Saylor Rd, Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/birdland-park-des-moines-iowa-2/
Campbell Recreation Area
Address: 1885 N.W. 123rd St, Clive
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/campbell-recreation-area/
Crown Point Community Center
Address: 6300 Pioneer Pkwy, Johnston
Fairmeadows Park
Address: 543 22nd Street, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/fairmeadows-park-des-moines-iowa/
Greentree Park
Address: 1914 NW Hickory Ln, Ankeny
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/greentree-park-ankeny-iowa/
Grimes South Sports Complex
Address: 750 S James Street, Grimes
Haines Park
Address: 3rd Ave SE, Altoona
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/haines-park-altoona-iowa/
Jaycee Park
Address: 5608 Center Street, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/jaycee-park-west-des-moines-iowa/
Lions Park
Address: 72nd Street and Aurora Avenue, Urbandale
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/lions-park-wading-pool-urbandale-iowa/
Maple Grove Park
Address: 9350 Chalk Street, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/maple-grove-park-west-des-moines-iowa/
Peony Park
Address: 1100 63rd Street, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/peony-park-west-des-moines-iowa/
South Karen Acres Park
Address: Roseland Dr & 77th St, Urbandale
Sugar Creek Park
Address: 2955 Serenity Drive Waukee
Park Details: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/sugar-creek-park-waukee-iowa/
Tower Park
Address: 4900 Hickman Rd., Des Moines
Park Details: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/tower-park-wading-pool-des-moines-iowa/
Village Park
Address: 4th St. NW, Altoona
Willow Springs Park
Address: 5685 Wistful Vista Dr, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/willow-springs-park-west-des-moines-iowa/
Wilson Park
Address: 298 9th St., West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/wilson-park-west-des-moines-iowa/
Witmer Park
Address: 1610 34th St, Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/witmer-park-des-moines-iowa/
Woodland Hills Park
Address: 1230 S. 95th Street, West Des Moines
Park Review: https://outdoorfun.desmoinesparent.com/woodland-hills-park-west-des-moines-iowa/
Are we missing your favorite place to play pickleball or take lessons? Send us a message and we will get it added!
Jackie Fioritto
Hi, I’m Jackie. I am a teacher who recently became a stay-at-home mother of two. My husband and I moved to Des Moines from Green Bay, Wisconsin a few years ago. Originally, I am from Chicago, Illinois. My family has loved exploring Des Moines and all that it has to offer!