In recent years, pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. According to USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body, roughly 13.6 million players picked up a paddle in 2023—and played on 50,000 courts across the United States.
It’s no surprise the game has come to Central Oregon, where players all over the region engage in the activity that blends elements of table tennis, badminton, and traditional tennis. The community of Sunriver, in particular, has seen a sharp increase in the demand for pickleball courts—a development that inspired us to showcase everything you need to know about playing in the forested community. That includes:
No matter when you visit Sunriver, get in the game on your next trip with our guide to pickleball in Sunriver, Oregon.
Where to Play
Photo courtesy of Sunriver Resort
Sunriver pickleball courts can be found in two places: The first is at Sunriver Resort, and the second is at Fort Rock Park (which is managed by the Sunriver Owners Association).
Players at Sunriver Resort’s Sage Springs Club & Spa can choose among eight indoor courts and 10 outdoor courts (available to overnight guests and club members). All courts are open between late May and late September, with rental fees running approximately $40 and including one hour of court time, paddles, and balls. Amenities include a concession stand and viewing area for when you need a break between games.
Players can also choose among 18 outdoor courts at Fort Rock Park in the heart of Sunriver. Court reservations are required and can be made between May and September (weather dependent); paddles and balls are available for rent at the on-site Fort Rock Pickleball Hut between mid-June and Labor Day—and can be made at the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center later in the season. Members of the Sunriver Owners Association receive free pickleball reservations, while visitors can rent a court for $40 per 90-minute session; paddle rentals are available for $7 per session. Learn more about Sunriver pickleball at Fort Rock Park.
Local Pickleball Clubs
Interested in meeting up with other players and taking your game to the next level? Join the Sunriver Pickleball Club, which plays six days each week between May and September at Fort Rock Park. The group, whose main aim is to have fun, is open to players of all skill levels—including visitors and members of the Sunriver Owners Association. Get the scoop by emailing SRPickleball@gmail.com.
Locals and frequent visitors can also sign up for a membership at Sunriver Resort, as well. Pickleball membership at Sunriver Resort includes access to all 18 courts, a variety of perks (including discounts for spa services, bike rentals, and boat rentals), and access to Sage Springs Club & Spa (which itself features an indoor lap pool, hot tub, fitness center, and more). Learn more about pickleball membership at Sage Springs.
Local Community Engagement
Part of what makes Sunriver’s pickleball scene so special is how it’s created a vibrant community around the sport.
If you’re staying at Sunriver Resort, for instance, you can take private lessons (for up to four players) from on-site professionals who have been playing and teaching for several years. Pickleball mixers are available, as well; during these occasional events, one of the club’s pros organizes a series of matches while providing tips and insight throughout.
And at Fort Rock Park, players can sign up for a wide range of events—including beginner-friendly clinics and 90-minute private lessons that are geared toward the skill levels of each player; each session is led by a certified pickleball instructor with extensive experience.
Photo courtesy of Sunriver Resort
Tournaments and Events
Occasional tournaments and events enrich the many pickleball offerings around Sunriver. Keep an eye on the Sunriver Owners Association website for upcoming tournaments at Fort Rock Park—and watch Sunriver Resort’s pickleball website for updates on events at Sage Springs Club & Spa. Our calendar of events also lists upcoming Sunriver pickleball tournaments whenever possible.
Whether you’re visiting to hit the court or want to see what our region has to offer, learn about things to do in Central Oregon
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
-
Plan Your Getaway to Sunriver Resort
In a sense, Sunriver Resort feels like something of an oasis: The massive complex sits surrounded on all sides by forests of ponderosa pine, with the Deschutes River meandering nearby. Mountain peaks rise above the treeline, hinting at a wilderness that extends far beyond the celebrated resort’s rental homes and eateries.
-
Top Things to Do in Central Oregon
With four seasons of outdoor adventure, spacious shopping centers, innovative entrepreneurs, creative craft beverage producers, and countless family attractions, the hardest thing about staying busy in Central Oregon isn’t finding things to do—it’s figuring out how to fit it all into one trip.
-
Sunriver
Imagine the perfect vacation -- a place where snow-capped mountains gleam in the distance, a meandering river cuts through picturesque fields of sagebrush and wild grass, days start with a bike ride to fresh coffee and pastries from a local shop and end with a cocktail or locally brewed beer, and every outdoor adventure is within reach. That perfect vacation exists -- it’s all available in Sunriver, Oregon.