Pickleball in Carbondale, Illinois

Carbondale's pickleball scene centers on Southern Illinois University. Saluki Courts provides six dedicated outdoor courts, and the Student Recreation Center runs four weekly indoor open play blocks. Access is easiest for SIU students and Recreation Center members, while other players can arrange court rentals or join games through the Southern Illinois scheduling group.

Where to play

Saluki Courts

Saluki Courts on Route 51 has six dedicated pickleball courts, two tennis courts, futsal space, and volleyball. Outdoor hours are dawn to dusk, with at least one night of lighted play each week during summer. Current SIU students and Recreation Center members use the courts free on a drop-in basis. Nonmembers rent court space rather than entering as ordinary drop-in users.

The closest lot is Lot 48, which requires a red faculty or staff parking decal. Players without the decal should use a legal visitor parking option elsewhere on campus.

View Saluki Courts access and rentals.

SIU Student Recreation Center

Three pickleball nets are set up on Multi-Sport Court 3 in the West Gymnasium. Open play runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. All three courts can also be rented or reserved. Closed toe athletic shoes with nonmarking soles are required.

See indoor court hours and reservations.

Lessons and beginner help

SIU offers REC 236, Introduction to Pickleball, as a university recreation course when it appears on the term schedule. For community players, the indoor open play blocks provide a better route to meeting experienced players, but a nonmember needs an eligible sponsor for a guest day pass. Individual instruction is available through the local pickleball coaches directory.

Events and recurring play

Indoor open play at the Student Recreation Center provides the regular weekly rhythm: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons plus Saturday mornings. Players across Carbondale and Southern Illinois also arrange games through PlayTime Scheduler.

The 2026 Saluki Open takes place September 26 and 27 at Saluki Courts. The outdoor tournament is open to ages 12 and older, with registration ending September 21 and a $55 player fee. It brings together men's, women's, and mixed doubles competition across skill categories.

View SIU pickleball events.

Visitor guidance

SIU access rules matter for visitors. Saluki Courts are free only for current students and Recreation Center members; other groups must rent the courts. A one day Recreation Center guest pass also requires a current member or fee paying SIU student to sponsor the visitor and remain present for the purchase.

Visitors without an SIU connection should arrange a rental, join a dated game through PlayTime Scheduler, or use the free public Black Diamond Pickleball Complex in nearby Marion. Black Diamond has six lighted outdoor courts and daily hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., making it the simplest public backup.