Hoops Haven: 4 Outdoor Basketball Courts in Grand Forks

It’s peak summer season which means Grand Forks is heating up, literally and figuratively. If you’re like me, that means getting outside to enjoy it! The list of summertime activities in Grand Forks is extensive, but one thing that often gets overlooked is playing basketball. As a washed-up ball player, I like to get outside and ball with my bros, but it’s not always easy finding a court. Tennis courts and now pickle ball courts are taking over the city. Let’s not forget about the original ball-and-hoop sport that our ancestors created for our enjoyment. I’ve compiled a list of four of the best outdoor basketball courts in Grand Forks.

This is one of my favorite courts for those low-key evenings. Located right off Belmont Drive at the entrance of Lincoln Golf Course, this basketball court has the essentials: 2 hoops and a concrete slab. It’s nothing glamorous, but this court is great for a game of HORSE. It will take you back to those childhood days shooting hoops in the driveway with your friends. Calling bank from the small crack where a 3-point line would be, you are transported to a simpler time.

The hoops have a fixed height construction at 10 feet and double rims (throwback to the elementary playground days). These hoops are super bouncy and will shake till tomorrow with every hard brick you throw up. Your shot better be precise, otherwise you will be doing a lot of rebounding.

This complex has an adjacent tennis court, so there is fun for the fuzzy ball racquet hitters too. Heck, after you’re done shooting hoops, walk down the road to Lincoln Golf Course for 9 holes to cap off the day.

If you are looking for some friendly neighborhood competition in Grand Forks, this is the court for you. There are almost always people balling out at this court. I’ve played 5v5 full-court, 3v3 half-court, and even 1v1 at these courts. The complex’s three full-sized courts make for plenty of hoops to break out into a private shooting session if your shot is in need of a tune up.

These courts are great for dialing in your shot. They have a rubberized surface with full court lines painted on, perfect for longer playing times. The hoops are adjustable down to about 6 feet, which makes this a great spot to bring the kiddos and teach them how to shoot on a lower hoop.

You may hear the click of pickle balls, as there are two pickle ball courts as well as a tennis court located on this complex. This is definitely a poppin’ place with something for everyone. This multi-sport mecca is located near the intersection of Demers and North Washington, by the Grand Forks Curling Club building.

For those collegiate or intramural ballers looking to ball right on campus, this is the place to go. This court is located right next to the UND Wellness center, so it’s perfect if you like to get a basketball warmup in before a lifting session.

With 10-foot fixed height hoops, a rubberized surface, and painted lines, this full-sized court has a healthy blend of qualities from the previous two courts. Competition may be stiff as there’s usually a handful of UND students playing 3v3 or 5v5, making this a great spot to improve your defense and fast break abilities.

If you’re like me, sometimes being on the UND campus turns back the hands of time. This spot is glistening with nostalgia, which makes me want to call up my buddies from Cambridge Street and play a quick game of pickup before heading to the Walsh Quad for some dinner at Squires Hall…oh to be young again. If you’re a UND student or not, I’d recommend giving this court a shot!

I’ve saved the best for last. This is my favorite court in Forks for a few reasons. The court itself is very secluded from everything else. Located on the western edge of Riverside Park, this is the court that you go to when you just want to enjoy the purest form of basketball. Quality time with you, a ball, and a hoop.

On the northern side of the dyke, you will find this concrete slab gently cradled between the dyke itself and an elevated trail section of the Greenway. This land-hug creates a barrier from the wind and keeps the court mostly protected from gusts! You will often have an audience of people walking, biking, or rollerblading on the Greenway as you shoot buckets from the three. One of the hoops is slightly lowered by a few inches (not sure why), so this makes dunk attempts seem more feasible…but not really.

This court seldomly has people on it or around it really, making it a great spot for couples who want to have some quiet time breaking each other’s ankles.

I hope you enjoyed this list and can get out to one or all of these great spots to shoot some hoops. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be there and we can play some 1v1. Your move.