Pickleball in Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest has developed a strong public pickleball program alongside the parks, trails, and recreation facilities that are a big part of this North Shore community. Deerpath Community Park has eight dedicated outdoor courts with scheduled open play, and the city's recreation program offers beginner classes, round robins, drills, and other organized sessions. Indoor court rentals are also available locally when the weather turns cold.

Where to Play

• Deerpath Community Park
  400 Hastings Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
  Eight dedicated outdoor pickleball courts operated by Lake Forest Parks and Recreation. The courts are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved. The city currently schedules open play on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Courts are available year-round when conditions allow and close when snow or ice is present.
  Lake Forest pickleball information and schedule
• South Park
  150 S Maywood Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
  Public neighborhood park with shared tennis and pickleball courts. This is an option for arranging your own outdoor games outside the city's scheduled programs.
  South Park information
• Lake Forest Recreation Center
  400 Hastings Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
  The Recreation Center is used for the city's indoor pickleball classes and programs. Check the current recreation schedule for available sessions and registration.
  Current pickleball programs
• Brick House Pickleball
  28457 Ballard Dr, Unit H, Lake Forest, IL 60045
  Indoor facility with two full pickleball courts and a smaller practice court. There is no monthly membership requirement. Players reserve and pay for court time, with rates varying by time of day.
  Court rates and reservations

New to Pickleball?

Lake Forest Parks and Recreation has a clear path for new players through its Learn to Play Pickleball program. The class covers rules, scoring, court positioning, and basic shots before players move into regular games. The city also offers additional programs for players who want to continue developing their skills.

Check the current recreation schedule for the next Learn to Play session and registration. Once you are comfortable playing, the Tuesday and Thursday morning open play at Deerpath Community Park gives you a regular opportunity to meet local players and get into games.

Beginner classes and pickleball registration

Open Play and Organized Play

Lake Forest Parks and Recreation currently schedules open play at Deerpath Community Park on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The city's pickleball program also includes round robin play, drills, strategy sessions, and programs for different experience levels.

Check the current Parks and Recreation schedule before attending since programs and seasonal schedules can change.

Visiting Lake Forest?

If you are visiting and want to find a game, Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Deerpath Community Park are the first times to check. The city schedules open play from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on its eight dedicated courts, giving you a specific time to arrive and mix in with local players.

Outside scheduled open play, Deerpath's courts are first-come, first-served. The city also provides a live Pickleball-Cam through the LF Now app, which can help you see court conditions and activity before heading over.

For indoor play, Brick House Pickleball allows players to reserve court time without a monthly membership. If you are looking for additional local games or someone to play with, check the Lake Forest-area groups listed in the Resources section of this site.