Paddle Pals Des Moines
Paddle Pals players during a rally
Indoor this winter · RecPlex open play · West Des Moines

Friendly pickleball. All levels welcome.

Winter means indoor play. Drop in for public open play at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex ($5 for 2 hours), sign up for Paddle Pals games on Meetup, or find another indoor court near you.

RSVP on Meetup ↗Find an indoor court →
  • 5.0 · 361 ratings
  • 101 members
  • 426 past events

From our Meetup group page, October 2026.

Loading the schedule…
This week

Seven days at a glance

  • Paddle Pals open play at the RecPlex
  • Other RecPlex drop-in times
  • Paddle Pals games (RSVP on Meetup)

RecPlex times come from the official RecPlex pickleball schedule (October 2026). $5 for 2 hours at the front desk; check-in starts 15 minutes before. Paddle Pals games come from our game list. Always confirm on Meetup.

Directory · Indoor this winter

Indoor pickleball around Des Moines

The RecPlex comes first: it’s where Paddle Pals plays indoors. Below it are other indoor places in Des Moines, West Des Moines and nearby towns: public centers, gyms and dedicated pickleball clubs.

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IndoorPaddle Pals plays hereDrop-in · pay per visit

MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

West Des Moines

Address
6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines
Pickleball
Public drop-in pickleball (indoor). Paddle Pals’ usual times: Mon & Wed 3–5 PM, Fri 5–7 PM, Sun 3–5 PM.
Access & cost
$5 admission at the front desk (2-hour session).
Hours
Monthly schedule PDF on the RecPlex site. Check-in starts 15 min before.

RecPlex staff don’t supervise drop-in play. The schedule can change, so check the monthly PDF.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorFreeDrop-in · pay per visit

Valley Community Center (VCC)

West Des Moines

Address
4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Pickleball
Indoor open play, plus lessons (lessons need registration).
Access & cost
Free; donations welcome. Paddles to borrow. Sign in and sign the waiver.
Hours
Mon 12–4 PM (1:30–4 on lesson days) · Wed 12–4 PM · Fri 1–4 PM (from August)

Phone (515) 327-6000.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorDrop-in · pay per visit

Pioneer Columbus Community Center

Des Moines (south side)

Address
2100 SE 5th St, Des Moines
Pickleball
Indoor pickleball (City of Des Moines Parks & Rec).
Access & cost
$2, ages 10+.
Hours
September–February: Mon–Fri 8 AM–noon.

Phone (515) 248-6316.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorDrop-in · pay per visit

Reichardt Community Center

Des Moines (north side)

Address
915 College Ave, Des Moines
Pickleball
Indoor pickleball (City of Des Moines Parks & Rec).
Access & cost
$2, ages 10+.
Hours
Year-round: Tue & Thu 8 AM–noon.

Phone (515) 237-1819.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorDrop-in · pay per visitTemporarily closed?

Fourmile Community Center

Des Moines (east side)

Address
3711 Easton Blvd, Des Moines
Pickleball
Indoor pickleball (City of Des Moines Parks & Rec).
Access & cost
$2, ages 10+.
Hours
Usually Tue/Thu/Fri noon–3 PM and Mon/Wed 3–8 PM.

The city says the gym has been temporarily closed since Aug 17 because of floor damage. Check before you go. Phone (515) 248-6315.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorSome Paddle Pals play hereMembershipCheck with facility

Life Time Des Moines

Urbandale

Address
11911 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50323
Pickleball
Indoor courts. Open play and Intro to Pickleball, booked in the Life Time app.
Access & cost
Members only. A $50 day pass includes pickleball court fees. Court reservations are included with Signature membership; otherwise there’s a fee, which varies by club.
Hours
Check with facility

Phone 515-362-3500.

Website ↗Directions ↗Playing at Life Time? Post it here

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorMembershipCheck with facility

Walnut Creek Family YMCA

West Des Moines

Address
948 73rd St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Pickleball
The YMCA lists pickleball at its Walnut Creek, Waukee, Wellmark and Indianola Ys.
Access & cost
YMCA membership or guest pass: check with the Y.
Hours
Check with facility

Phone (515) 224-1888.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorMembershipCheck with facility

Waukee Family YMCA

Waukee

Address
210 N. Warrior Lane, Waukee
Pickleball
The YMCA lists pickleball at its Walnut Creek, Waukee, Wellmark and Indianola Ys.
Access & cost
YMCA membership or guest pass: check with the Y.
Hours
Check with facility

Phone (515) 987-9996.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorMembershipCheck with facility

Wellmark YMCA

Downtown Des Moines

Address
501 Grand Ave, Des Moines
Pickleball
The YMCA lists pickleball at its Walnut Creek, Waukee, Wellmark and Indianola Ys.
Access & cost
YMCA membership or guest pass: check with the Y.
Hours
Check with facility

Phone (515) 282-9622.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorMembershipCourt rental

Dinks Pickleball

Des Moines (Merle Hay)

Address
3800 Merle Hay Rd, Suite 1000, Des Moines, IA 50310
Pickleball
Dedicated facility with 13 indoor courts. Open play through CourtReserve / Playtime Scheduler.
Access & cost
Membership needed for door access and reservations: Basic $60/yr + $25, Gold $125/yr + $25, VIP $195/yr + $10. Member court rates are $16, $22 or $28 per hour. Guests are $10.
Hours
Open daily 6 AM–midnight (members).

Phone (515) 585-3335.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorCourt rentalCheck with facility

Polk County Pickleball

Ankeny

Address
2222 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny, IA 50023
Pickleball
Dedicated facility with 7 indoor courts. Daily open play by skill level; book courts in their app.
Access & cost
Prices: check with facility.
Hours
Mon–Sat 7 AM–10 PM · Sun 7 AM–7 PM

Phone (515) 877-7272.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorCourt rentalCheck with facility

Smash Park West Des Moines

West Des Moines (Jordan Creek)

Address
6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Pickleball
Indoor and outdoor courts, leagues and instructors, plus food and drinks.
Access & cost
Court prices: check with facility.
Hours
Check with facility
Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorCourt rental

Open Courts Waukee

Waukee

Address
655 Interstate Pkwy, Bldg C, Waukee
Pickleball
Pickleball nets on all 3 courts. Book online.
Access & cost
$40/hour court rental, no membership needed.
Hours
Open 4:30 AM–midnight.

Phone 515-202-6583.

Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

IndoorCourt rentalCheck with facility

Farm Club Sports, “The Barn”

Waukee

Address
Waukee (street address: check with facility)
Pickleball
3 courts, available between basketball bookings.
Access & cost
$20/hour reservation; confirm by email (farmclubsportsiowa@gmail.com).
Hours
Weekdays 9 AM–3 PM · weekends 10 AM–2 PM
Website ↗Directions ↗

Source: official website, checked Oct 18, 2026.

Details come from each facility’s own website, checked October 18, 2026. Schedules and prices change, so always confirm with the facility. “Check with facility” means its website doesn’t list that detail. Map locations: OpenStreetMap.

Outdoor · when weather allows

Valley View Park, West Des Moines

8 lighted outdoor courts, where Paddle Pals plays in season. Courts can be reserved March 1–October 31. After that, play is first come, first served when the weather allows.

Find a Court →Paddle Pals games on Meetup ↗
Two ways to play

Paddle Pals games vs. public open play

Private · Paddle Pals

Paddle Pals games

Where
Reserved courts at Valley View Park, and at the RecPlex when a court is booked.
Sign up
RSVP on Meetup and pay in advance by Venmo when you sign up.
Cost
Shown on each Meetup event. Valley View sessions are usually $5–$6 per person. A private RecPlex court is $20 per court per hour, about $5 each with 4 players.
Cancel
Cancel at least one day before the game for a refund. Later, find a replacement and tell the organizer. If you RSVP and don’t come, you still owe your share of the court fee.
Rain
We never play on wet courts. If rain cancels an outdoor game, your credit carries to your next game. The decision is announced on WhatsApp.
RSVP on Meetup ↗Full guidelines →
Public · RecPlex

RecPlex open play

When
Monday & Wednesday 3:00–5:00 PMFriday 5:00–7:00 PMSunday 3:00–5:00 PMThese are the Paddle Pals group times.
Also
Other RecPlex drop-in times (official November–December 2026 schedule): most days 9:00–11:00 AM (a few days start at 11 AM or noon), Tuesday and Thursday 3:00–5:00 PM, and Saturday 4:00–6:00 PM. No pickleball on Nov 14, 15 and 26, or Dec 24 and 25.
Cost
$5 for 2 hours, paid at the RecPlex front desk.
Where
MidAmerican Energy RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines.
How
Public drop-in, shared with other players. Arrive about 15 minutes early to sign in. Come as 4 and stack your paddles together to play as a group.
Check RecPlex schedule ↗Winter play guide →
30-second helper

Which session is for me?

1. How do you want to play this winter?

2. Where are you coming from?

Paddle Pals Best Shots

On court this season

Best Shot #4 ▶Best Shot #5 ▶Best Shot #7 ▶

Watch all Best Shots & vote →

New here?

Quick answers

I’m a beginner. Can I come?

Yes. All skill levels are welcome. We play for fun, and nobody gets upset over a missed shot.

Do I need to be a member?

No. For Paddle Pals games, RSVP on Meetup. For RecPlex open play, just pay $5 at the front desk (Mon & Wed 3–5 PM, Fri 5–7 PM, Sun 3–5 PM).

How much does it cost?

RecPlex open play is $5 for 2 hours, paid to the RecPlex. Paddle Pals games show their price on Meetup (Valley View sessions are usually $5–$6 per person), prepaid by Venmo.

What should I bring?

Athletic clothes, non-marking court shoes, your paddle if you have one (a few extras are usually available) and water.

What if it rains?

We never play on wet courts. If rain cancels an outdoor game, you keep your credit for the next game. The decision is posted on WhatsApp.

Where do you play after October 31?

Valley View courts can be reserved March 1–October 31. After that, outdoor play is first come, first served when weather allows, and RecPlex open play continues indoors.

How do I get game-day updates?

Meetup sends RSVP details. Members also use WhatsApp for quick coordination; ask the organizer for an invite.

Visiting Des Moines?

See local and regional courts on the Courts page, or propose a playtime so local players can join you.

Find a Court →Find a Playtime →

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