Access Campus Recreation facilities effortlessly by tapping your JacksCard at the Recreation Center entrance. This exclusive benefit is available to all students who pay the Health and Wellness Fee as part of their tuition. If you are an NAU alumni, faculty, or staff member, we have membership options designed specifically for you. To learn more about our membership options, please visit our dedicated Membership page.
Recreation center
Welcome to our state-of-the-art Recreation Center, where you can experience top-notch facilities and exceptional programs. Our friendly and highly-trained staff is dedicated to assisting you every step of the way. Access to the Recreation Center is open to all currently enrolled, fee-paying students. With a wide range of membership options and competitive rates, we cater to a wide variety of wellness needs.
Indoor facilities
Key features
- 4 basketball courts
- 5 racquetball courts
- 1 non-regulation squash court
- 4 volleyball courts
- 3 versatile fitness studios
- indoor track (10 laps = 1 mile)
- wellness suite
- 38-foot climbing wall
- free weight area
- TRX/functional training corners
- selectorized machines
- outdoor courtyard equipped with weights and equipment
- multipurpose gym for indoor soccer, basketball, and volleyball
Outdoor facilities
South field complex
The South Field Complex was opened in the fall of 2009 and features two fully lit artificial turf fields to accommodate soccer, lacrosse, rugby, flag football, softball, and open recreation. The complex features two sand volleyball courts located adjacent to the lower turf fields and an 18-hole disc golf course adjacent to the fields. The start of the course can be located on the east side of parking lot P62.
The complex is located in the south portion of NAU’s campus, on the corner of Pine Knoll Drive and South Huffer Lane.
Observatory field complex
The Observatory Field Complex was opened in the spring of 2014 and features a natural grass and artificial turf field to accommodate soccer, ultimate frisbee, quidditch, and open recreation. The complex is located in the central portion of NAU’s campus, on the corner of University Drive and South San Francisco Street
ATC field
The ATC Field was opened in the spring of 2017 and features one natural grass surface to accommodate soccer, ultimate frisbee, quidditch, and open recreation. The field is located at the north end of campus adjacent to the Aquatics and Tennis Complex at the corner of Franklin and San Francisco Street.
Outdoor recreation facilities policies
Please be aware of and respect posted signs, policies, and instructions from NAU staff. All organized group events and activities must be scheduled through Campus Recreation before use and facility use is subject to availability and approval by the university. Priority usage of fields and facilities during the academic year is as follows:
- First priority: Competitive and recreational sports programs (intramural sports and sports clubs)
- Second priority: Open recreation for NAU Students
- Third priority: Reserved events
Events on campus must comply with parking permit requirements. Kiosks are located at four entrances of campus for guests. Contact Parking Services for further details at ask-parking@nau.edu.
Risk is inherent when engaged in an activity. To ensure a safe and well-maintained facility, the following articles and activities are prohibited:
- glass of any type
- alcoholic beverages
- smoking and use of smokeless tobacco products
- skateboarding, biking, and in-line skating
- personal grills
The following are prohibited on synthetic field turf areas:
- all food and beverage products, (except water), gum, and shelled seeds or nuts
- sharp objects, such as tent stakes, corner flags, lawn chairs, or any object or equipment with poles/legs that may penetrate or damage the turf
- portable heaters or any type of open-flame
- metal cleats or high-heeled footwear (footwear is restricted to molded cleats, max ½”, turf shoes, or other soled athletic shoes)
- dogs or other pets
- golfing or throwing objects such as (but not limited to) hammers, shots, discs, or javelins
- suntan lotions, oils, or creams (please apply sunblock before entering the turf area)
- motorized vehicles (except approved university or emergency vehicles)
The following are appreciated by all users:
- always lift and carry goals and equipment (dragging items may cause personal injury or damage to the turf)
- deposit all trash in designated trash receptacles (notify on-site staff by calling 928-523-1733 when trash receptacles become full)
- keeping the facility clean is paramount; failing to clean the area creates potential health concerns and safety hazards
Groups are responsible for leaving the field clean and ready for the next user:
- Inspect the field and surrounding area for items left behind including but not limited to equipment, uniforms, tape, trash, etc.
- In the event of an injury resulting in human fluids contacting the turf stop all activity, isolate the affected area, and notify a staff member immediately. Activity may resume after the area has been cleaned.
- Communicate spitting is not allowed on the fields.
- Please use trash cans near the fields.
- Failure to clean up after your event will result in an additional cleaning charge. This includes but is not limited to water balloon pieces, food leftovers, and food wrappers.
- All physical damage caused by negligent actions/behaviors of the user/group will be charged to the responsible party designated in the contract.
Campus Recreation reserves the right of ultimate authority on any safety matters (such as lightning/storm warning). When a staff member instructs a team/group to either seek shelter or vacate the facility due to an issue of safety or security, all members of the team/group must do so immediately and without question, regardless of the circumstance.
- Severe weather, including but not limited to thunder, lightning, rain, hail, sleet, ice snow, wind, etc., can impact the safety of activities on the field. When weather threatens the safety of the activity, consider suspending activity and seeking shelter until the storm passes. If weather conditions fail to improve, reschedule the activity and discontinue use for that day. Keep in mind this is a large open area and subject to lightning and other weather-related hazards.
The following may indicate the possibility of imminent lightning and precautions are recommended:
- thunder
- a sudden cloudburst of enormous raindrops or hail
- a fast-moving cold front
- a change in wind direction with a sudden blast of cold air
- hair standing on end, crackling noises or buzzing in the air, and small sparks given off around metal objects
- 30/30 lightening rule – field users should seek shelter (inside the middle of the Ramada or in a personal vehicle) when a count of 30 seconds or less occurs between seeing a lightning flash and hearing a clap of thunder.
- Activity should not resume until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder is heard.
- Severe weather policy: If severe weather interferes with scheduled activity, contact Campus Recreation for information regarding reschedules, partial refunds, or credit toward your next event.
- For information or to report a concern, call Campus Recreation at 928-523-1733 during business hours or contact NAU Safety and Security at 928-523-3611 during non-business hours.
- In the event of an emergency or serious injury, call NAU PD 928-523-3000 or 911.
Facility closures
Facilities are not available for events on the following days:
- New Year’s Day (January 1st)
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November)
- Christmas Eve (December 24th evening hours)
- Christmas Day (December 25th)
- New Year’s Eve (December 31st)