Best Pickleball courts in Arcata, Humboldt County for 2026

Summary / Description

4 indoor pickleball courts with portable nets in Forbes Gym (East Gym Indoor) in California State Polytechnic University, in Arcata, CA. Cal Poly Humboldt has a multi-use gymnasium with wood floors. The facility provides portable nets during drop in play (at least four will be available, additional personal nets can be set up to provide up to eight courts of play). A one-time fee is required to play for community members (punch cards are available for purchase at the facility). Current students at CPH are free. 18 and up (but currently enrolled Cal Poly Humboldt students that are minors are allowed)

Schedule: typically Sundays from 12-2 during the fall and spring semesters (late August to mid-May). Closed during the summer when classes are not in session. Management contact information: Cal Poly Humboldt, +1 707-826-6011, https://recsports.humboldt.edu/drop-in-recreation

DROP IN PICKLEBALL
Drop-in Recreation provides an opportunity for people to participate in an activity of their choice informally, and all skill levels are welcome to join. Drop-in Recreation is funded through the Associated Students and is free to all students with a current Humboldt I.D., and only $2 for everyone else.
You can purchase a one time or multiuse pass here.
Minors are not currently allowed to participate in Drop In or Intramural activities, unless they are a registered Cal Poly Humboldt student.
Location: Forbes Gymnasium 250 – East Gym
Organization: RECREATIONAL SPORTS, ASSOCIATED STUDENTS, CAMPUS RECREATION
Responsible Person at Event Name: Aaron Muscarello

Drop-in Recreation provides an opportunity for people of all skill levels to informally participate in any of the sports we offer. No sign up required, just show up to the gym or field and have fun! Drop-in Recreation is funded through the Associated Students and is free to all currently enrolled Humboldt Students, and only $2 for everyone else. You can pay for an individual session, or, you can buy a multi use pass using the link above. Skate Nights are also funded through Associated Students, and is $5 for non students.

Drop in sports are offered the first 4 weeks of each semester, and occasionally some sports will be available all semester long.
Check out the current offerings on Calendar.

Minors are not currently allowed to participate in Drop In or Intramural activities, unless they are a registered Cal Poly Humboldt student.

LUNCHTIME PICKLEBALL
Cost: Free for Students, $2 for all others
Dates: Thursdays 12-2pm
Excluding campus breaks and holidays
Time: 12-2pm
Location: Forbes Gym
Age: 18+
This session is designed for Faculty and Staff to get some exercise during their lunch breaks, and is only $2 per session. All equipment provided. Just show up and play!
Drop-in Recreation is funded through the Associated Students and is free to all students with a current Humboldt I.D. Faculty and Staff can pay the one time drop in fee through this link, or in person downstairs at the Rec Sports Office.
Minors are not currently allowed to participate in Drop-in or Intramural activities, unless they are a registered Cal Poly Humboldt student.

DROP-IN BADMINTON
Cost: Free for Students, $2 for all others
Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Forbes Gym
Age: 18+
Drop-in Recreation provides an opportunity for people of all skill levels to informally participate in any of the sports we offer. No sign up required, just show up to the gym or field and have fun!
Drop-in Recreation is funded through the Associated Students and is free to all currently enrolled Humboldt Students, and only $2 for everyone else, use this link to pay in advance. You can pay for an individual session, or, you can buy a multi use pass.
We offer drop in sports the first 4 weeks of each semester, and occasionally will offer some sports all semester long. Check out the current offerings below, or on our Calendar.
Minors are not currently allowed to participate in Drop In or Intramural activities, unless they are a registered Cal Poly Humboldt student.

DROP-IN FEE
Pay Drop In Fee Here

BEGINNING PICKLEBALL: SKILLS AND DRILLS CLASSES
Pickleball Classes available through the OLLI program at Cal Poly Humboldt and McKinleyville Parks and Rec. The OLLI classes are on July 13th (Sunday) from 12-3pm and August 3rd (Sunday) from 12-3pm. These are 2 separate classes. Students will spend the 3 hours learning everything they need to know to get started playing the game of pickleball – game rules and court etiquette, shots used in the game, how to serve and keep score.
The McKinleyville classes will be on Monday nights from 6-8pm from June 30th – July 21st. This will be a 4 week long class where students will learn the basics of playing pickleball. The first night students will learn everything they need to know to play and the next 3 sessions will be spent working on the basics of the game – rules, court etiquette, shots, serves and how to keep score.
Paddles and balls are provided – students need to come ready to play.
Please contact the OLLI program at Cal Poly Humboldt and the McKinelyville Parks and Rec dept.