Best Pickleball Courts in the Outer Banks: A Complete Guide

Stretching out on soft, golden sand, with the waves of the Atlantic Ocean gently touching your toes, sounds like a perfect vacation in the OBX. While this is enough for some, there are vacationers who like to stay active and keep up with their sports routines to maintain their energy, stamina, and endorphins. In the OBX, you’ll find several facilities that allow you to practice your favorite sport—from parks to sports centers, there are excellent options just around the corner. And that includes pickleball courts.

Are you already a pickler or want to learn how to play the fastest-growing sport in America? In this blog, we’ve curated a list of the best pickleball courts in the OBX where you can hone your skills and even learn from the pros.

Not familiar with the country’s trendiest sport? Here’s a rundown: Pickleball is a mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, and the sport is easier on the knees and hips than tennis and other court sports like basketball — which contributes to its popularity among people of all ages.

Before We Dive In: Here’s a Little About Us…

At Village Realty, we offer a curated selection of exceptional vacation rentals in one of the most beautiful coastal destinations in the US: the Outer Banks, North Carolina. From the oceanfront to the sound front, our handpicked rentals provide the perfect home away from home for you. And we are local experts, so for relevant local tips, head to our blog. We cover many topics, from explaining the local seafood culture to all you need to know about fishing, and there’s much more coming.

Now, let’s find those awesome pickleball courts!

Dare County Recreation Park (Family Recreation Park), Kill Devil Hills

Address: 602 Mustian St, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Dare County Recreation Park is known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming local players, offering a great opportunity for pickleball enthusiasts to enjoy the sport while visiting the Outer Banks. The park features four outdoor and two indoor courts. The outdoor courts are lined tennis courts that have been adapted for pickleball use with nets provided for pickleball play. The courts are open and free to both residents and visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here’s a breakdown of the court availability:

• Outdoor courts are specifically reserved for pickleball from Monday through Saturday, 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM. As long as the courts are not reserved for other groups, pickleball is allowed to be played outside of these hours for both visitors and residents.
• Visitors are only allowed to use the indoor facility on weekends, during advanced and intermediate playing times. Please play at the time scheduled for your skill level. Players must be at least 18 years of age.

For more activities, Dare County Recreation Park also offers fantastic amenities like a multipurpose field, baseball field, softball field with lights, two batting cages, playground with climbing wall, and covered picnic pavilions with grills.

Note: During peak season (April-October), visitor hours begin at 10:00 AM. There’s no lighting on the outdoor courts, limiting play to daylight hours.

Dowdy Park, Nags Head

Address: 3005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959

Dowdy Park provides a pleasant setting for pickleball players in the Outer Banks area. While it offers only one court, the free access and additional park amenities make it an attractive option for both locals and visitors alike.

The outdoor pickleball court has been recently resurfaced as part of a park upgrade. It boasts a concrete surface with painted lines and a permanent net. The court is free to use and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are required or accepted for the court.

Note: The court does not have lighting, limiting play to daylight hours. Players should be prepared for potential sea breezes that may affect gameplay. Restrooms are available at the park, as well as free Wi-Fi.

Outer Banks Family YMCA, Nags Head

Address: 3000 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC

With its three wood-surface courts, permanent lines, and portable nets, Outer Banks Family YMCA in Nags Head offers a high-quality pickleball playing experience. Non-members can access the courts for a fee of $10, and they can be reserved. Clean restrooms and water fountains are available for a more comfortable experience.

Open play times are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 AM – 12 PM
• Tuesday, Wednesday: 4 PM – 6 PM

Walker Park, Wanchese

Address: 260 Pond Rd, Wanchese, NC 27981

Walker Park, also known as Pigum Walker Park, in Wanchese, less than 10 miles from Manteo, is another great option for picklers traveling to the OBX. Featuring four brand-new outdoor pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets, the courts are free to use for both residents and visitors. Playing hours are from dawn to dusk daily, and no reservations are required.

The park has designated days for pickleball beginners where they’ll receive an introduction to the rules of the game and an opportunity to play with others that are just starting out. Check the park’s schedule for more info.

Lions Club Center at Westcott Park, Manteo

Address: 1000 Wescott Park Road, Manteo, NC 27954

Lions Club Center at Westcott Park is a public facility in Manteo featuring two indoor pickleball courts. They are wooden courts with permanent lines and portable nets. The courts are available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12 PM.

If you want to engage in other activities after practicing your pickleball skills, the park also has an outdoor basketball court, dance room, and tee-ball, baseball, and softball fields with lights allowing for extended play times.

The Fessenden Center, Buxton

Address: 46830 North Carolina Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920

The Fessenden Center is a multi-generational facility overlooking Pamlico Sound serving all of Hatteras Island with programs and activities for toddlers, youth, adults, older adults, and families. Picklers can enjoy their four pickleball courts—two courts are located indoors, and two are outdoors. All of them have concrete surfaces with permanent lines and portable nets.

The center organizes open play days focused on those who are new to pickleball. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the sport’s rules and play with beginners. Check their calendar for more information.

Note: While the courts are free to use, you need to get a free membership.

Westside Athletic Club, Powells Point

Address: 101 Wimbledon Ct, Powells Point, NC 27966, United States

WestSide Athletic Club is a tennis, pickleball, fitness, and swim facility located just north of the Wright Memorial Bridge on the Outer Banks. The facility features four lighted hard courts dedicated to pickleball. They were newly resurfaced, ensuring high-quality playing conditions.

The club is open to members, guests, and the public. If you’re not a member, expect to pay a small fee (usually about $10) to participate in open pickleball days and other activities like yoga and water aerobics classes.

Speaking of classes, at Westside Athletic Club you have the chance to learn with a professional pickleball player certified by the IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association). You can contact the center for more info.

For more activities, Westside Athletic Club is also home to four clay tennis courts and three hard tennis courts (all lighted), and a 25-meter pool.

Bonus: What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum.

What Does the Equipment Look Like?

Pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) and solid paddles larger than ping-pong paddles.

What Are the Main Differences Between Pickleball and Tennis?

Although both sports are racquet-based, they have many differences. Here are the main ones:

• Court Size: Tennis courts are significantly larger, measuring 78 feet long and 27-36 feet wide (singles vs doubles). Pickleball courts are much smaller, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for both singles and doubles.
• Net Height: Tennis nets are higher, at 3 feet in the center. Pickleball nets are lower, at 34 inches in the center and 36 inches at the sidelines.
• Equipment: Tennis uses larger stringed racquets and felt-covered rubber balls. Pickleball uses smaller solid paddles and perforated plastic balls.
• Serves: Tennis allows overhand serves, which can be powerful scoring opportunities. Pickleball requires underhand serves, making it harder to score directly from a serve.
• Scoring: Tennis uses a 15, 30, 40 scoring system with games, sets, and matches. Pickleball uses a simpler system, playing to 11 points (win by 2).
• Gameplay: Tennis involves more running and court coverage due to the larger court size. Pickleball has a “non-volley zone” (kitchen) near the net, creating unique strategic elements.
• Pace: Tennis generally involves more powerful shots and faster gameplay. Pickleball tends to have a slower pace, focusing more on control and placement.

Is Pickleball More Accessible Than Tennis?

Yes! While tennis can be more physically demanding and may have a steeper learning curve, pickleball is easy to learn, easier on the joints, and more accessible to beginners and players of various ages and fitness levels. These differences contribute to pickleball’s growing popularity, especially among former tennis players looking for a less physically demanding but still engaging racquet sport.

How Can I Find Other Pickleball Enthusiasts to Play With While on the Road?

PickleUp is a popular mobile application designed specifically for pickleball enthusiasts. Users can search for pickleball courts by city or location name. The app provides details about each location and offers directions. You can even create events and invite others to play, as well as create buddy lists to connect with other players.

Wondering Where to Stay in the Outer Banks, NC?

Booking your stay with Village Realty means staying in one of our exceptional, handpicked homes. From the oceanfront to the sound front, we offer outstanding OBX vacation rentals from South Nags Head to Corolla.

Our number one priority? Your ultimate comfort and happiness. Our local staff will always go the extra mile to make sure you and your family have a special vacation in OBX.

Staying with us, all you have to care about is letting the coastal beauty whisk you away – and you can rest assured it will!