Quick Guide for Visitors & New Residents
Welcome to Kemmerer, Wyoming! Known as the historic hometown of J.C. Penney and famous for its fossil quarries, Kemmerer is a rugged mountain town (population ~2,400) sitting at nearly 7,000 feet in elevation. Because of its small size and harsh winters, Kemmerer does not have dedicated outdoor or indoor full-sized tennis courts. However, tennis lovers can adapt. Here is what you need to know immediately:
- Closest Dedicated Courts: You will need to make the scenic 50-mile drive south to Evanston, WY to find full-sized, public tennis courts.
- Local Alternatives: Diamondville Park in adjacent Diamondville offers pickleball/basketball concrete pads that can be used for mini-tennis, wall hitting, or footwork drills.
- Community: The tennis scene is small and organic. Digital platforms are required to connect with players willing to commute to Evanston or Salt Lake City.
Why Kemmerer is Great for Tennis Travelers
For the avid tennis traveler, Kemmerer offers a unique juxtaposition. You are combining high-altitude fitness training with untouched Wyoming wilderness. While you won't find bustling country clubs here, the town serves as an excellent basecamp for those who love meeting independent locals. As a community organizer, you have the rare opportunity to introduce the game to locals or organize cross-training sessions at the Kemmerer Recreation Center. You can hike the Ham's Fork trails in the morning, dig for prehistoric fish fossils in the afternoon, and drive down to Evanston for an evening twilight match against the backdrop of the Uinta Mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find hitting partners in Kemmerer?
Because the player pool is very small, your best option is to post on regional Wyoming tennis Facebook groups, check bulletin boards at the Kemmerer Recreation Center (kemmerer.org), or use digital apps like UTR to find players willing to commute to Evanston or Salt Lake City.
Best way to book court times for a 7-day visit?
Since Kemmerer lacks its own courts, you do not need to worry about local reservations. The nearest courts in Evanston operate 100% free on a first-come, first-served basis. No booking is required.
How to join private or group tennis lessons?
There are no certified USPTA teaching professionals based directly in Kemmerer. To join clinics or get private lessons, you will need to look toward the Evanston Recreation Center (visitevanston.com) during the summer, or travel to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Connecting with players (NTRP 2.0 - 4.0)?
Engage with the local pickleball crowd at Diamondville Park. Many local racquet-sport enthusiasts transition between the two sports and are the best bet for finding a hitting partner with similar skills.
Tennis Courts & Facilities
Local Alternatives (No Full Tennis Courts)
Kemmerer Recreation Center: Located at 1050 U.S. Highway 189. It offers indoor gym space, an indoor track, and racquetball courts (kemmerer.org). It is great for cardio and wall-drills during the harsh winters, but it does not have a tennis court.
Diamondville Park: Located in the neighboring town of Diamondville. It features an outdoor pickleball court and basketball court (travelwyoming.com). It has a hard concrete surface, open to the public for free, but it is not lined or netted for standard tennis.
Nearest Dedicated Tennis Facilities (Evanston, WY)
6th Street Pickleball and Tennis Courts: Located at 603 6th Street, Evanston, WY (about 50 miles south). These are the closest real courts.
- Surface: Hard courts (Asphalt/Concrete)
- Count: 4 outdoor courts (shared tennis/pickleball lines)
- Lighting: None
- Pricing/Access: 100% Free, Public, First-come, first-served.
Community & Associations
There is no formal Kemmerer Tennis Association. The local racket-sports community leans heavily into pickleball and racquetball. However, the USTA Wyoming District (ustawyoming.com) oversees all tennis activities in the state. Players from Lincoln County generally register under USTA Intermountain and participate in regional tournaments held in larger cities like Jackson or Casper.
Lessons & Coaching
Local coaching is non-existent within city limits. High school students interested in racket sports generally participate in other athletics since Kemmerer High School does not field a tennis team. For those desperate for professional coaching, you must look to summer park programs in Evanston or travel into Utah to access high-level academies and certified pros.
Shops & Services
Stringing & Gear
There are no dedicated tennis pro shops in Kemmerer or Diamondville.
- Stringing: You will need to string your own rackets using a portable drop-weight machine or mail them to a shop in Salt Lake City.
- Gear: Basic sporting goods can sometimes be found at regional general stores, but specialized tennis shoes, strings, and rackets must be purchased online from retailers like Tennis Warehouse (tennis-warehouse.com).