Disc golf is among the top things to do in Central Oregon, and it’s easy to discover why. Disc golf is a fun excuse to get outside—and Central Oregonians love to get outdoors—the low-impact nature of the sport means you won’t wear yourself out, the required equipment is easy to rent or purchase, and views of the Cascade Range abound around every hole. In all, there are some two dozen courses in Central Oregon making it one of the great disc golf destinations found anywhere.
How much of a destination for disc golf is Central Oregon? Bend, Oregon, is home to two disc golf legends, Nate and Valarie Doss, who have combined to win seven professional world championships and two junior world championships. The husband-wife team also founded Bevel Craft Brewing, which has a small course out back for all to enjoy—meshing two great Central Oregon pastimes: local craft beer and disc golf.
Maybe you’ve never picked up a disc, which is similar to a Frisbee. Good news. Whether a world champion or picking up a disc for the first time, disc golf is fun for all. Similar to the sport of golf, disc golf courses are typically nine or 18 holes. Only instead of clubs, players step up to the tee, usually a rubber or concrete pad, launch the specially designed disc, and instead of aiming for a hole, try to get the disc into a metal basket in as few throws as possible. Some holes are in wide-open meadows and require a bit more brute strength, while others pass through forests and past lava flows and offer more technical challenges.
No matter your experience, you’re sure to find plenty to love about the courses in Bend, Sunriver, Sisters, and beyond. So here’s our Central Oregon disc golf guide.
Disc Golf Courses in and Near Bend, Oregon
Bend has a famously robust outdoor recreation scene, so it should be no surprise that disc golf courses abound.
The Pine Nursery Disc Golf Course, at the northeastern edge of Bend, is among the city’s most popular courses. The 18-hole course shows off dramatic views of Central Oregon’s Cascade Range while passing through stands of juniper, ponderosas, sagebrush, and even the occasional lava rock formation. New players and veterans alike find plenty to love about the mostly flat course, where holes range from wide-open meadows to thicker forests demanding tighter, more technical shots.
Set along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway at the southwestern edge of Bend, the nine-hole course at Seventh Mountain Resort offers an ideal introduction to the sport with a relatively flat, nine-hole course that is even stroller-friendly. Players head through park-like settings and the occasional stand of ponderosa pine.
In the mood for a local brew while playing disc golf? Well, nothing beats Bevel Brewing’s two-basket, nine-hole disc golf course. Several Bend parks, including Skyline Sports Complex and Rockridge Park, offer disc golf courses that are open to all, too.
Disc Golf in Redmond, Oregon
Disc golfers find a lot to love about the High Desert around Redmond. Dry Canyon Disc Golf Course, on Redmond’s west side, winds through desert terrain, including gnarled juniper trees, a rimrock canyon, and plenty of sagebrush. The nine-hole course features two basket placements per hole, so players with a bit more time can play it like an 18-hole course. The course is suited to players of all skill levels—but beginners and families enjoy the paved path that hugs Dry Canyon’s east side, appreciate the lack of obstructions and obstacles, and can get a feel for the sport with several short and mid-range shots.
Similarly, Cline Falls Disc Golf Course offers another family-friendly exploration of the High Desert, and runs alongside the Deschutes River. Just keep in mind that shade is sparse in both parks, so players should bring plenty of water in summer.
A half-hour north of Redmond, just outside the city of Madras, sits Juniper Hills Park—home to soccer fields, softball fields, baseball fields, and (of course) a nine-hole disc golf course. Players set out from concrete tee pads and proceed through a mixture of pine, juniper, and sagebrush. The challenging course features marginal elevation gain and occasionally offers awe-inspiring views of Cascade peaks nearby.
Disc Golf in Sunriver, Oregon
If you’re looking to get in a game in Sunriver, your best bet is to play the nine-hole, par-27 course at the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center (better known as the SHARC).
Before we get to the course: No, you don’t need to be a resident or even a guest at Sunriver Resort, to play disc golf at the SHARC course. It is free for all to play (putters and mid-range discs can be rented, too). SHARC only asks that all players check in at its front desk before hitting the course.
What about the course itself? Sitting behind the SHARC building, the nine-hole course offers some elevation change and heads into a wooded area. With just nine holes, the course is suited to beginners and families, while more seasoned players can try new trick shots and brush up their skills.
Camp Abbot is the newest option in Sunriver. Built in 2022, this seasonal, 18-hole disc golf course is set among the ponderosas of the Deschutes National Forest. Spread across vast terrain, this course involves plenty of hiking, albeit in a gorgeous setting. And the course features moderate changes in elevation and plenty of trees.
Disc Golf in Sisters, Oregon
Hyzer Pines Disc Golf Course is the hub of disc golf in Sisters. Hyzer Pines is one of the most beloved courses anywhere in the region, drawing newbies and experts alike from throughout Central Oregon and beyond. The 18-hole, partially shaded course is relatively flat as it passes through open meadows of sagebrush and wooded areas of ponderosa pine. Golfers tee off from rubber tee pads and face one water hazard (a manmade lake) on the 14th and 15th holes. Views of the Three Sisters peaks abound to the southwest.
Nearby Black Butte Ranch, which sits less than 15 minutes from downtown Sisters, offers a nine-hole course that darts in and out of a lush ponderosa pine forest. The mix of wide-open meadows and tighter, forested holes creates challenges for new and experienced players alike. Sweeping views of the Three Sisters and (naturally) Black Butte make the experience all the better. Rental equipment is also available at the resort.
Disc Golf Near Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor offers four seasons of fun—the region’s most iconic ski slopes, a beloved mountain bike park, a soaring zipline course, on-site campground, summertime chairlift rides, and more. Part of the fun: the resort hosts a popular, but challenging, disc golf course during the summer months.
Golfers can ride the Pine Marten chairlift (or hike up) to the first hole, before they begin working their way back down the mountain over 18 sloping holes. Most of the course’s holes broadly follow the Coffee and Canyon ski runs, with alpine meadows and stunning views rounding out the scenic setting. The loose terrain and occasionally breezy conditions add to the challenge.
Before heading up to Mt. Bachelor, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind: Golfers must provide their own discs (or purchase them from the resort’s Gravity Sports shop), wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots (especially since snow can linger well into summer at the course’s higher elevations), and golfers should prepare for changing weather by bringing an extra layer or two. Also note that a valid lift ticket or pass, available at the Mountain Gateway in the West Village area, is required for golfers riding the Pine Marten chairlift to the first hole. But no ticket or pass is required for golfers to hike to the first hole.
Curious about what else there is to do around the region? Check out our page on Central Oregon activities for ideas and inspiration.
