New to Butte or Just Visiting? Here's everything you need to start playing tennis today:
Contact Mavis at 406-490-7826 for Butte Tennis Association summer camps at Father Sheehan Park. Text Coach Kyle at 406-599-1198 for additional programs.
Bob Ward's Sports & Outdoors at 1925 Dewey Blvd carries tennis racquets and equipment. Call 406-494-4452 or visit bobwards.com.
Check meetup.com/cities/us/mt/butte for local groups or connect through USTA Montana at montanatennis.org.
For residents and visitors, the best ways to find tennis partners include: joining the Butte Tennis Association summer programs (contact Mavis at 406-490-7826), visiting courts during peak hours (early mornings and evenings June-September), connecting through USTA Montana at montanatennis.org, checking local meetup groups at meetup.com, or posting at Bob Ward's Sports & Outdoors community board. High school players from Butte Central and Butte High School also practice at Stodden Park during spring and fall seasons.
Visitors should head to Stodden Park (1340 Harrison Ave) as the primary facility with 6 recently renovated courts. Courts are free and open to the public year-round, though outdoor playing season runs June through early September. No reservations needed - courts operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Father Sheehan Park offers 2 additional courts but may have pickleball players sharing the space.
Contact the Butte Tennis Association through Mavis Bentley at 406-490-7826 for group summer tennis camps held at Father Sheehan Park. Text Coach Kyle at 406-599-1198 for additional instruction options. Registration typically requires sending forms to PO Box 4302, Butte, MT 59701 with a $35 fee. Adult lessons and workouts are available in conjunction with summer programs. For year-round options, consider USTA Montana programs at montanatennis.org.
USTA Montana offers league play organized by skill level - contact Adult League Coordinator Becky King at 406-861-7885. Visit public courts during popular times (6-9am and 5-8pm during summer) to meet local players. Join summer tennis camps to connect with players of various levels. Consider the Butte Tennis Association's City Tennis tournament for competitive match play. Online platforms like Tennis Round and Global Tennis Network can help locate players, though Butte's tennis community is primarily organized through the local tennis association and word-of-mouth.
Butte does not have dedicated indoor tennis facilities. The outdoor season typically runs late June through early September due to Montana's climate (temperatures range from 9°F in winter to 81°F in summer). For winter tennis, the nearest indoor facilities are at Peak Racquet Club in Missoula (approximately 2 hours away) or the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center in Bozeman (1.5 hours away). Many Butte players use the off-season for conditioning or travel to nearby cities for indoor play.
Location: 1340 Harrison Ave, Butte, MT 59701
Courts: 6 tennis courts (recently renovated through Central Improvement Plan)
Surface: Hard court
Lights: Not specified
Cost: Free, public access
Amenities: Main city park with playground, water park, carousel, baseball diamond, basketball courts, pickleball courts, golf course, paved walking/biking trails, horseshoe pits, and large grassy areas
Details: Home courts for Butte Central High School and Butte High School tennis teams. Hosts local tournaments including the Southwest divisional tournament. Three of six courts had settling issues but were recently renovated. Visit co.silverbow.mt.us for park information.
Location: South End of Holiday Park Dr, Butte, MT 59701 (off Interstate 90, on banks of Blacktail Creek)
Courts: 2 tennis courts (dual-use with pickleball)
Surface: Hard court with pickleball lines
Cost: Free, public access
Amenities: Baseball courts, bike paths, creek access
Details: Primary location for Butte Tennis Association summer camps. Two tennis courts convert to four pickleball courts. More information at recplanet.com.
Butte's high elevation (5,538 feet) creates an ideal temperate climate during hot summer months. The outdoor tennis season runs from late June through early September when temperatures average 70-81°F. The warmest playing conditions occur July through August. Butte receives only 0.79" of rain in July (driest month) and enjoys 186 sunny days annually. Spring and fall offer marginal playing conditions, while winter is unsuitable for outdoor tennis with temperatures dropping to 9°F and significant snowfall.
Contact: Mavis at 406-490-7826
Address: PO Box 4302, Butte, MT 59701
Programs: Summer tennis camps for youth, teens, and adults; City Tennis tournament; adult lessons and workouts
Facilities: Camps held at Father Sheehan Park
Registration Fee: $35
Details: Long-time coach Mavis Bentley leads instruction. The association hosts series of camps throughout summer and organizes the annual City Tennis tournament with singles and doubles divisions.
Website: montanatennis.org
Adult League Coordinator: Becky King, 406-861-7885
Tournament Director: Andrea Johnson, 406-579-2716, ajohnson.mta@gmail.com
Affiliation: Part of USTA Intermountain section (Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming)
Programs: Adult leagues (18+, 40+, 55+), tournament schedule, junior development
Details: Montana hosts numerous USTA-sanctioned tournaments including the Jack Reddy Memorial (Helena), Montana State Open (Bozeman), and sectional championships. Visit the calendar page at montanatennis.org/calendar for current tournament and league schedules.
Butte Central High School (Maroons) - Competes in Class A tennis
Butte High School - Fields varsity and JV teams
Home Courts: Stodden Park
Coach: Mavis Bentley (Butte High)
Season: Spring (April-May)
Details: Butte hosts the Southwest divisional tennis tournament. Teams compete against Dillon, Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville. Recent competitive players have advanced to state tournaments. Follow coverage at buttesports.com and mtstandard.com.
Website: buttepickleball.com and pickleballbutte.com
Locations: Butte Civic Center Annex (3 courts), Father Sheehan Park (4 courts converted from 2 tennis courts), Stodden Park (summer open play)
Details: Tennis players looking for additional racquet sport opportunities can join the growing pickleball community. Courts at Father Sheehan Park have painted pickleball lines on tennis courts - bring your own net or use lowered tennis nets.
Contact: Mavis, 406-490-7826 or Coach Kyle, 406-599-1198 (text)
Location: Father Sheehan Park
Registration: Send forms to PO Box 4302, Butte, MT 59701 with $35 fee
Instructor: Mavis Bentley (longtime coach, Butte High tennis coach)
Program Types: Youth camps, teen camps, adult lessons, adult workouts
Season: Series of camps throughout summer (June-August)
Details: Primary instruction option for Butte residents and summer visitors. Mavis Bentley brings extensive coaching experience and has produced competitive high school and tournament players.
Organization: Butte-Silver Bow Parks and Recreation
Website: co.silverbow.mt.us/192/1685/Parks-Recreation
Details: Partners with Butte Tennis Association to host tennis programs. Check activity guides and calendars for current offerings. Youth programs integrate with local organizations.
Limited private coaching is available through local instructors. Contact the Butte Tennis Association or inquire at Bob Ward's Sports & Outdoors for recommendations. High school coaches may offer private lessons during summer months.
Missoula (2 hours): Peak Racquet Club offers private lessons with Scott Potter, Tennis Director - 406-251-3356 ext 11. Visit peakmissoula.com/racquet-club/tennis-lessons.
Bozeman (1.5 hours): Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center provides instruction and camps. Visit bobcattenniscenter.com.
National platforms like playyourcourt.com, tennispronow.com, and teachme.to can connect you with certified instructors for in-person or video lessons.
Address: 1925 Dewey Blvd, Butte, MT 59701
Phone: 406-494-4452
Website: bobwards.com
Hours: Open 7 days a week
Tennis Offerings: Tennis racquets, balls, shoes, apparel, accessories
Services: Retail sales, online ordering available 24/7
Details: Family-owned Montana business since 1917, Butte location opened 1973. Primary source for tennis equipment in Butte. Also carries skiing, hunting, fishing, camping gear, and outdoor apparel from brands like The North Face and Columbia. No specific mention of racquet stringing services - call to confirm availability.
Address: 3901 Harrison Ave, Butte, MT 59701
Department: Sporting Goods
Tennis Offerings: Basic tennis equipment, balls, recreational racquets
Details: Budget-friendly option for casual players or replacements. Limited selection compared to specialty stores.
Location: Butte
Details: Primarily ranch and farm supply but may carry limited sporting goods. Call ahead for tennis equipment availability.
Butte does not have dedicated tennis specialty shops with professional stringing services. Check with Bob Ward's Sports & Outdoors for stringing availability or recommendations. Alternative options include:
Tennis Warehouse: tenniswarehouse.com - Extensive selection, free shipping on orders over $50
Tennis Express: tennisexpress.com - Competitive pricing, fast shipping to Montana
Dick's Sporting Goods: dickssportinggoods.com - No Butte location, but online ordering with shipping available
Butte offers tennis travelers a unique Montana experience combining authentic Western history with accessible outdoor recreation. The city's high elevation (5,538 feet) creates ideal summer playing conditions - warm but not scorching, with low humidity and 186 sunny days annually. Unlike resort towns, Butte provides affordable accommodations and a genuine local tennis community eager to welcome visitors.
June through early September delivers consistent playing weather (70-81°F) with minimal rainfall. The high elevation keeps temperatures comfortable during peak summer months when lower elevation cities can be too hot. July averages only 0.79" of rain, meaning reliable court time without weather disruptions.
Stodden Park's recently renovated courts are free, well-maintained, and centrally located. The park's amenities (playground, water park, trails) make it family-friendly for traveling players with children. The small-town tennis community means easy connections with local players - show up at peak hours and you'll likely find hitting partners within minutes.
Butte's central location provides access to Montana's tennis destinations: Missoula's Peak Racquet Club (2 hours west), Bozeman's Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center (1.5 hours east), and Helena's courts (1 hour north). Play mornings in Butte, explore Yellowstone National Park (2.5 hours) in afternoons, or combine tennis with fly fishing in the Big Hole River valley.
Beyond tennis, Butte offers rich history as "The Richest Hill on Earth" - mining heritage visible in the Berkeley Pit, historic uptown architecture, and the World Museum of Mining. The community organizing focus means tennis travelers can connect with locals through the Butte Tennis Association, join summer camps, or participate in the City Tennis tournament. Local players include high school students, recreational adults, and competitive USTA league participants - diverse skill levels for every visitor.
Plan tennis-focused trips for July or August when weather is most reliable. Contact Mavis (406-490-7826) in advance to coordinate with summer camps for guaranteed playing partners and coaching opportunities. Tournament travelers should check montanatennis.org for Southwest Montana events potentially hosted in Butte.