Top Outdoor Basketball Courts In Las Vegas

The Daily Meal Staff|Aug. 16, 2014 7:00 am EST

There's something magical about playing basketball outside on a hot summer's evening or a pleasant late fall afternoon at a well-maintained and accessible neighborhood court. When the lights come on, the magic begins, and thoughts of fitness and exercise fly away as you jump, dribble and shoot hoops. Whether you arrive at the park with the guys or gals, with your team or your family, it really doesn't matter. Anyone can get caught up in a game of pick-up or an organized practice session.

Sunset Park
2601 E. Sunset Road
Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 455-8200
www.clarkcountynv.gov

Whether you are searching for the perfect spot to have a picnic or barbecue with the entire family, laze around the fishing pond, fish for rainbow trout or catfish, play tennis or baseball or just read under a shade tree to while away a hot afternoon, there is nowhere else in Las Vegas that can hold a candle to Sunset Park. Best yet, this park also has eight excellent basketball courts on which you can hold a game with friends or just shoot some baskets. Feel like a pick-up game? There are bound to be some folks who are willing to join in.

Gardens Park & Community Center
10401 Garden Park Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 562-4890
www.summerlink.com

Gardens Park has one regulation-sized outdoor basketball court with six hoops, so it can either be used for a full-court or two half-court games. You have to bring your own equipment, and you may want to include a cooler so you can have a post-game barbecue. This is the best place in Summerlin for a good evening game of b-ball, pick-up or planned.

Arroyo Grande Sports Complex and Pittman Wash Trail
298 Arroyo Grande Blvd.
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 267-5700
www.cityofhenderson.com

Arroyo Grande is one of Henderson's newest parks and as such, it has all of the amenities: sports fields, a dog park, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, walking and biking trails, a wash (with its own little bridge) flowing through the park and a BMX bike track. Best of all is the addition of a lighted full basketball court for a great evening game during the hot, dry summer or a mild winter's day. You may even want to pick up a snack or water at the concession area after the game, and sit at the picnic tables to chill out for a while.

Anthem Hills Park and Anthem East Trailhead
2256 N. Reunion Drive
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 267-5840
www.cityofhenderson.com

Anthem Hills has everything you could want in a community park. There are lighted ball fields, multipurpose fields, picnic tables with covered shelters, roller hockey, lighted volleyball courts, a walking path and even a skate park, where skaters and BMXers can practice their craft and refine their skills. The outdoor basketball courts are also lighted at this facility, making this the ideal place to practice some hoops, join a pick-up game or just play for the fun of it with some friends or family members. The courts are open until midnight, which is perfect during those hot Vegas nights.

Sharon Damon is a preschool specialist, avid reader, passionate writer and creative baker/ cook. She has been a cooking instructor at a local Rec Center in Henderson, NV since 2011, and has written for Examiner and other publications since 2010. She knows her way around the keyboard and the kitchen! Sharon moved from a small city in Canada to Las Vegas 6 years ago, to marry the love of her life, and has since been swept up in the whirlwind known as Sin City. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.