From the clay at McMullen to the free courts in Dunedin and the small beach-town courts on the Gulf, the Clearwater-area tennis I actually recommend.
CW
Clayton WalkerFounder|March 16, 2026|7 min read
The short version
The best tennis in the Clearwater area is the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex, with 19 courts in clay and hard and a stadium court, set in a shaded park. For free courts, Highlander Park in Dunedin has eight lit hard courts, and the beach towns from Indian Rocks to Madeira Beach all have small public courts. Most are lit for night play, and every court here is on the map.
The best tennis in the Clearwater area is the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex, and after that it spreads out: a big bank of free courts in Dunedin, a handful of small beach-town courts on the Gulf, and a few quiet neighborhood parks that are better than their review counts suggest. Here is my list of the courts I actually send people to across Clearwater, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and the beaches, with the surface, the lights, the fees, and the parking realities that matter before you go.
A quick orientation. Clearwater is a USTA Tennis Welcome Center city, and it shows in the upkeep. The area has one true tennis center, McMullen, plus a scattering of good public courts in the surrounding towns. I have left the pickleball-first parks off this list and kept it to places where the tennis is the point.
Clearwater's premier public center, and one of the best public facilities in the bay. Nineteen courts in all: twelve Har-Tru clay with sub-surface irrigation, six hard, and one pro court with stadium seating, all lit, set in a shaded 20-acre park. It plays like a private club at public-park prices, with a double-sided hitting wall, shaded benches, restrooms with showers, and a staffed office. It hosts Frenchy's Gumbo Tennis Classic, the largest recreational tennis tournament in Florida. Check rates and reserve through Clearwater Parks and Recreation. See the McMullen page, part of the Clearwater courts directory.
McMullen's shaded clay and hard courts, Clearwater's premier public complex.
Tip
The McMullen clay is the easiest place in north Pinellas to learn to play on Har-Tru. It is slower and softer than a hard court, and on a hot afternoon it is noticeably kinder to your knees. If you have only ever played hard courts, book an hour on the clay and give the bounce a few games to get used to. The slide is the fun part.
The Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex is the best in the Clearwater area, with 19 courts including 12 Har-Tru clay, six hard, and one stadium court, all lit and set in a shaded 20-acre park. It plays like a private club at public-park prices.
Where can I play tennis for free in the Clearwater area?
Highlander Park in Dunedin has eight free lit hard courts, the most in the area. Other free public courts include Forest Run Park and Coachman Ridge Park in Clearwater, Marshall Street Park in Safety Harbor, and the small beach-town courts at Kolb Park, R.O.C. Park, and Bay Park on Sand Key.
Are there clay tennis courts in Clearwater?
Yes. The Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex has 12 Har-Tru clay courts with sub-surface irrigation, alongside six hard courts and a stadium court. It is the main place for public clay in Clearwater.
Where can I play tennis near Clearwater Beach?
The Clearwater Beach Tennis Courts have three lit hard courts on the Mandalay Channel at the north end of the beach. The courts are free, but the parking lot is paid, so get there early or budget for it. Bay Park on Sand Key is a quieter, free-parking alternative a few minutes south.
Where can I see all Clearwater-area courts at once?
Every court here has a page on the TB Let's Play court map, where you can filter by surface, lights, and fees, check parking and hours, and find others near you.
CW
Clayton Walker
Founder
Founder of TB Let's Play and lifelong tennis player. Building the community resource Tampa Bay deserves for finding courts, connecting with players, and making the most of our region's incredible tennis and pickleball scene.
Find these courts on the map
See locations, lights, surfaces, and amenities for every court in this guide.
TB Let's Play is free. Join to find players near you and keep up with local courts.
The best free courts
Highlander Park (Dunedin)
Hard · 8 courts · Lit · Free
Eight free lit hard courts inside Dunedin's Highlander Park, and the most free tennis in one place in the whole area. The courts are well-painted, the lights are good, and you are close to the Dunedin community center and pool. If you are anywhere in north Pinellas and you do not want to pay, this is the spot. Free and first-come, with parking on site, run by Dunedin Parks and Recreation. See the Highlander Park page.
Morningside Recreation Complex
Cushioned hard · 4 courts · Lit · Free/nominal
A Clearwater rec staple with four lit cushioned courts that are easy on the legs and well maintained. It sits closer to the heart of Clearwater than McMullen and is a good no-fuss option for an evening hit. See the Morningside page.
Forest Run Park and Coachman Ridge Park
Hard · 2 courts each · Lit · Free
Two quiet Clearwater neighborhood options, each with a pair of lit hard courts that stay open and uncrowded when the bigger spots fill up. Forest Run and Coachman Ridge are the courts I point people to when they just want to get on and hit without a wait. Both are free. See the Forest Run Park page and the Coachman Ridge Park page.
Marshall Street Park (Safety Harbor)
Hard · 2 courts · Lit · Free
Two lit hard courts in Safety Harbor, well kept and free, in one of the most pleasant little downtowns in the bay. Pair a morning hit with a walk on the waterfront and coffee on Main Street. See the Marshall Street Park page.
The beaches and the Gulf
The barrier islands give you salt air and a short walk to the sand. None of these are big, but they are clean, mostly lit, and a good excuse for a beach day.
Clearwater Beach Tennis Courts
Hard · 3 courts · Lit · Free (paid parking)
Three lit hard courts on the Mandalay Channel at the quieter north end of Clearwater Beach. You play right along the intracoastal with boats going by, and the Gulf is two blocks away. The one catch is parking: this is Clearwater Beach, so the lot is paid, not free. The courts themselves are free and open sunrise to sunset. See the Clearwater Beach page.
Clearwater Beach's courts sit on the Mandalay Channel, the Gulf just a couple of blocks away.
Kolb Park (Indian Rocks Beach) and R.O.C. Park (Madeira Beach)
Hard · 2 courts each · Lit · Free
Two friendly neighborhood spots a short walk from the Gulf. Kolb Park in Indian Rocks Beach has two lit hard courts that can convert to pickleball with portable nets, so you may share lines on a busy day. R.O.C. Park in Madeira Beach has two lit hard courts inside a busy community park near John's Pass, with a dog park and splash pad nearby. Both are free. See the Kolb Park page and the R.O.C. Park page.
Bay Park on Sand Key
Hard · 2 courts · No lights · Free
Two hard courts on the bay side of Sand Key, and my pick when I want a beach day and a hit without the Clearwater Beach parking hassle. No lights, so play in daylight, but the trade-offs are good: free parking, public beach access steps away, and it stays quiet because most people do not know it is there. See the Bay Park page.
Belleair Beach Tennis Courts
Hard · 2 courts · Lit · Free
Two lit hard courts near the Gulf in Belleair Beach, with long hours and free parking. A low-key, well-kept option if you are staying or living on that stretch of coast. See the Belleair Beach page.
Worth the drive north
Craig Park (Tarpon Springs)
Hard · 2 courts · Lit · Free · Hitting wall
Up in old Tarpon Springs, Craig Park sits right on Spring Bayou under big moss-draped oaks, a short walk from the Sponge Docks. Two lit courts plus a hitting wall, in one of the prettiest settings on this whole list. Free, with parking and restrooms. Make a morning of it and grab Greek food after. See the Craig Park page.
Craig Park's courts sit on Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, ringed by old oaks.
McMullen's shaded clay and hard courts, Clearwater's premier public complex.
Clearwater Beach's courts sit on the Mandalay Channel, the Gulf just a couple of blocks away.
Craig Park's courts sit on Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, ringed by old oaks.
