South Boulder Rec Center
Overall Rating: 3.6/5
Location: Boulder
Number of Courts: 4
Key Features: Parking, Court Surface
Ideal For: Quick Matches, Views
The Quick Hit
The South Boulder Rec Center offers a scenic tennis experience with stunning views of the Flatirons. While the four courts are generally in playable condition, with a few noticeable cracks and net strap issues, the overall quality is decent. The location near Fairview High School and ample parking make it convenient for quick matches. However, the lack of dedicated tennis courts and potential conflicts with the active pickleball community can be a challenge. My recommendation until the city builds more dedicated pickleball courts or designates specific courts for each sport (similar to the North Boulder Rec Center), I would not recommend playing tennis at the South Boulder Rec Center unless it's relatively empty. It's a shame because these courts have the potential to be enjoyable places to play tennis.
Detailed Review
The court surface is playable with decent nets and a few cracks
Court Quality and Maintenance: 3.8/5
Courts are in playable condition, few long cracks that affect the bounce are present
Tennis nets range in quality from new to sagging and old
Courts are generally clean and well-maintainted
Parking in front of the rec center is easy to find
Access and Availability: 4.5/5
Open 6am-9pm daily
Reservation fees are $7.50/1.5 hours or free if you’re a rec center member
Courts are reserved through the City of Boulder reservation portal
At least one court is usually available, but access may require some coordination or confrontation
Plentiful parking across multiple lots
There aren’t benches but each court has chairs available to sit on
Facilities and Amenities: 2.9/5
4 tennis courts temporarily converted for pickleball
Access to water and restrooms inside the rec center
No benches, but chairs are available for changeovers
No lighting for evening play
Tall fence separates courts 1 and 2 from courts 3 and 4, but no dividers within courts
Great views of the Flatirons a short walk from the courts to the parking lot
Environment and Vibe: 2.6/5
Pickleball courts can get noisy and crowded
Stunning views of the Flatirons and a small lake
Potential for conflicts with the active pickleball community
The only court I’ve actively had a negative experience
