3 of the Best Pickleball Road Trips in the U.S.
As pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, there are more places to play in the USA than anywhere else in the world. This makes it an ideal place to take a pickleball trip, and what’s a better pickleball vacation than a road trip?
If you’re ready to spend some time in open play sessions, make new friends, and experience some of the best pickleball clubs America has to offer, grab your gear and check out these fantastic pickleball road trip vacation destinations.
The Sunshine State Road Trip
This road trip starts and ends in Florida - the Sunshine State. Not only is it a great place to spend a long weekend with the family, it’s a great state for pickleball.
The warm, year-round sunny weather makes this a dream pickleball getaway location. Florida was even the home to the US Open Pickleball Championship Tournament in 2021!
So what cities should you visit? Some of the best cities to play pickleball in Florida are Orlando, Naples, Jacksonville, and Miami.
Consider adding one of the following pitstops on your road trip:
USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida
Experience a 1-3 day pickleball camp experience to help you develop your pickleball skill level with pro pickleball players and world-class instructors.
These camps focus on getting comfortable with the NVZ, understanding the transition zone to develop your third shot, and mastering serving and returning the ball.
Cost: $575
Address: 10000 USTA Blvd Orlando, FL 32827
Contact: 844-872-8667
[email protected]
Nike Pickleball Camps - Naples, Florida
This pickleball camp is held at the Naples Pickleball Center and is run by Callie Smith, of the Pro Tour. This camp offers 2 full days of instruction with 10 hours of court time and focuses on all major pickleball skills including serves, returns, dinks, drives, and paddle positioning.
Cost: $425
Address: 3500 Thomasson Drive Naples, Florida 34112
Contact: 1-800-645-3226
Why Choose Florida for Your Pickleball Roadtrip?
Florida is one of the states with the most retirees, and pickleball is a sport many seniors enjoy.
Florida is the home to many collegiate athletes and campuses that offer pickleball, including the University of Florida and the University of Tampa, making it a great place for pickup pickleball games with locals.
There are many things to experience outside of pickleball playing hours, including theme parks, beaches, shopping, nightlife, and more!
The “Do Your West” Trip
This might be our favorite route for a pickleball road trip. Not only are these some of the cities with the most pickleball courts per capita, but it’s a trip that allows you to visit three different pickleball-loving states!
Start Your Journey in Mesa, Arizona
We recommend starting in Mesa, Arizona, which is in the Phoenix area. There are over 100 different courts to play on in this city alone! Some of the courts require reservations, and the fees to play do vary.
Our favorite pickleball camp in Mesa is LevelUp Pickleball.
LevelUp Pickleball Camp in Mesa, Arizona
LevelUP is one of the largest instructional camps in the United States and has been operating since 2016. They are sponsored by Pickleball Magazine and host hundreds of camps throughout the USA every year.
This program offers 12 instructional hours, a pre-camp review video, a 1-year subscription to Pickleball Magazine, and a low instructor-to-class ratio of 8:1.
Cost: $595
Address: Bell Bank Park: 1 Legacy Drive Mesa, AZ 85212
Stop #2 in San Diego, California
It’s time to head to the Golden State. California is one of the most popular pickleball destinations in the world. Not only is the weather excellent for outdoor games, California is home to world-class beaches, restaurants, theme parks, and one of our favorite pickleball camps; RisePickleball!
RisePickleball Camps
RisePickleball offers camps and clinics throughout the year and several in or close to San Diego, California.
According to Rise, “We really focus on high-percentage play, maximizing strengths while minimizing weaknesses, minimizing unforced errors, effective court movement/positioning, and proper partner communication. Also, fun is a big focus!”
Stop #3 is Las Vegas, Nevada
It’s Vegas, baby! Las Vegas is home to more than just slot machines, world-class entertainment, and celebrity restaurants, but one of the largest pickleball complexes in the west; Sunset Park.
Sunset Park Pickleball Complex
Las Vegas is home to Sunset Park, which many consider the epicenter of pickleball in Vegas. Players of all skill levels play here, and they have challenge courts, open-play courts, and championship courts for league play.
Cost: Varies
Address: 2601 E Sunset Rd Las Vegas, NV, 89120
Contact: (702) 455 - 8241
The “Court Of Dreams” Trip
The midwest is the center of many pickleball-loving states. It’s a great place for a road trip from late Spring to early Fall because of the lack of crowds, friendly people, and a love of everyone’s favorite game. The midwest is home to some pickleball destinations that no one should miss.
The Chicken N’ Pickle in North Kansas City, MO
With several locations scattered throughout the mid-west, the Chicken N’Pickle is a pickleball lover’s dream. Featuring crispy fried chicken, drinks, music, and of course, pickleball - it’s a family-friendly pickleball experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Address: 1761 Burlington, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Contact: (816) 537-1400
Ace’s Pickleball in Cincinnati, OH
Often considered the pickleball capital of the midwest, Cincinnati is home to another facility that shouldn’t be missed. Ace’s offers yard games like cornhole, fantastic food and drinks, 5 pro-level indoor pickleball courts, 6 pro-level outdoor courts, firepits, over 30 tv’s so you can catch the game, and so much more! Spend a day playing pickleball and relaxing - we promise you won’t be bored!
Address: 2730 Maverick Drive Cincinnati, OH 45212
Contact: (513) 778-8555
How to Find Pickleball Courts While on a Road Trip
Whatever road trip you take this year, you can find places to play pickleball at Where to Play and Places2play.org. It’s recommended to call ahead and book a court in advance whenever possible to ensure you have a place to play. Of course, sometimes things happen on a road trip. If you can’t reach your destination in time, consider finding an open spot to play to set up a temporary pickleball court or convert a tennis court into a pickleball court with a portable pickleball net.
More Pickleball Vacations
Looking for a more exotic pickleball getaway? Consider a pickleball cruise, European pickleball vacation, or head to pickleball resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, or Hawaii.
