Charlotte has emerged as one of the top pickleball cities in the Southeast, with 50+ courts spread across public parks, dedicated indoor clubs, and social venues. Mecklenburg County continues to invest in new dedicated courts, and the city’s mild climate keeps outdoor play going nearly year-round.
Here’s where to find the major courts in Charlotte.
Outdoor Courts
Clarks Creek Community Park
- Address: 5435 Hucks Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Courts: 8 dedicated outdoor courts
- Surface: Hard court
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
- Lights: No
- Cost: Free
- Amenities: Restrooms, water fountain, parking, playground
Courts 1–5 are reservable online through Mecklenburg County Parks; courts 6–8 are first-come, first-served. Permanent nets and lines on all courts. The competitive crowd shows up early on weekends and weekday evenings.
Freedom Park
- Address: 1908 E Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
- Courts: 6 dedicated outdoor courts
- Surface: Hard court
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
- Lights: Yes
- Cost: Free
- Amenities: Restrooms, water, parking, food nearby
Courts are in good condition with permanent nets. Lighted courts allow evening play. Reservable through Mecklenburg County’s online system. Saturday mornings draw the biggest crowds.
Clanton Park
- Address: 1520 Clanton Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
- Courts: 6 dedicated outdoor courts
- Surface: Asphalt
- Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM (Mon–Thu), 8 AM – 6 PM (Fri), 9 AM – 5 PM (Sat), 1 PM – 5 PM (Sun)
- Lights: Yes
- Cost: Free
- Amenities: Restrooms, Wi-Fi, picnic shelter, parking
Courts 1–4 are reservable online; courts 5–6 stay open for walk-up play. The lights and extended hours make this a popular after-work option. Part of the Mecklenburg County public parks pickleball network. Good rotation system during peak times.
Indoor Courts
Peak Time
- Website: Peak Time
- Address: 1515 S Clarkson St, Charlotte, NC 28203
- Phone: (704) 281-8564
- Courts: 19 indoor + 2 outdoor courts with PPA-grade acrylic surfacing
- Hours: Mon–Sun, 5:30 AM – 10 PM
- Membership: Required; day passes available
- Extras: Fitness center, recovery sauna, pro shop, leagues, coaching
Purpose-built courts with climate control and tournament-grade lighting. Open play sessions run throughout the day, organized by skill level. Beginners and advanced players each get dedicated court time.
Pickleball Charlotte – Sharon Lakes
- Website: Pickleball Charlotte
- Address: 8401 Sharon Lakes Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
- Phone: (704) 583-1444
- Courts: 16 indoor + 6 outdoor doubles courts
- Hours: Vary by session; check CourtReserve app
- Membership: PLUS membership available; non-members pay $15 guest fee
- Extras: Clinics, leagues, tournaments, padel courts, court rentals
Offers clinics for all skill levels, beginner-friendly programming, and competitive leagues. Book courts and sessions through the CourtReserve app. Additional locations at Ballantyne, Northlake, and Granite Street.
Charlotte Pickleball Courts
| Court | Type | Courts | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks Creek | Outdoor | 8 | Free | Dawn-dusk |
| Freedom Park | Outdoor | 6 | Free | Dawn-dusk |
| Clanton Park | Outdoor | 6 | Free | 8AM-8PM |
| Peak Time | Indoor | 21 | Members | 5:30AM-10PM |
| PB Charlotte | Indoor | 22 | Members | Varies |
Local Resources
Clubs & Organizations
- Mecklenburg County Park & Rec Pickleball – leagues, court info, reservations
- SportsLink Charlotte Pickleball – outdoor leagues at MLK Park
Gear & Lessons
- Rally Pickleball – 4 indoor + 4 outdoor courts, food and bar, classes and socials
- Pickleball Training Academy – beginner clinics through advanced lessons
Nearby Cities
- Concord Pickleball Courts – Quick Guide
- Huntersville Pickleball Courts – Quick Guide
- Matthews Pickleball Courts – Quick Guide
References
- Total Courts: 50+ (public + private)
- Free Courts: 20+ (Clarks Creek, Freedom Park, Clanton Park, MLK Park, Latta Park)
- Best Beginner Spot: Peak Time – skill-level open play, coaching staff on site
- Busiest Times: Weekday mornings (8–11 AM) and Saturday mornings
- Outdoor Courts w/ Lights: Freedom Park, Clanton Park
- County Parks Line: Mecklenburg County Parks
FAQs
Can I just show up and play at Charlotte’s public courts?
Yes. All Mecklenburg County outdoor courts are free. Clarks Creek and Clanton Park have a mix of reservable and open-play courts. Freedom Park operates the same way. No membership required. Bring your own paddle and balls, and look for the paddle rack system to get into the rotation during busy times.
Which Charlotte courts have lights for evening play?
Freedom Park and Clanton Park both have lighted courts. Clanton Park stays open until 8 PM on weekdays. For indoor evening play, Peak Time runs sessions until 10 PM and Pickleball Charlotte offers evening court time at all four locations.
Where can I find leagues or organized play?
Mecklenburg County runs adult pickleball leagues at MLK Park, Freedom Park, and Clarks Creek. Contact them at 980-314-1117 or athletics@mecknc.gov. SportsLink also runs outdoor leagues. Both Peak Time and Pickleball Charlotte offer in-house leagues for various skill levels throughout the year.
Is there a reservation system for public courts?
Yes. Mecklenburg County uses an online reservation system for select courts at Clarks Creek (courts 1–5), Freedom Park, and Clanton Park (courts 1–4). Remaining courts at each park are designated for open play on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve through the county’s ActiveNet portal.
