It’s easy to see why disc golf is one of the top things to do in Central Oregon: It’s a fun excuse to get outside, 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 Cascades abound around every hole.
And if you’re new to the sport, it doesn’t take long to catch up: Similar to the sport of golf, players usually choose to play courses of nine or 18 holes. Only instead of clubs, players step up to the tee (usually a rubber or concrete pad), launch a specially designed disc (similar to a Frisbee)—and instead of 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 own experience levels, 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—complete with breakdowns on how many holes each course has, the terrain you’ll play, and what skills a golfer should bring to each course.
Disc Golf Courses in and Near Bend, Oregon
Bend has a famously robust outdoor recreation scene, so it’s only natural that several disc golf courses would get built over the years.
Perhaps the city’s most popular place to throw a disc is the Pine Nursery Disc Golf Course at the northeastern edge of Bend. The 18-hole course shows off dramatic views of the mountains of Central Oregon while passing through stands of juniper, sagebrush scrubland, 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 that demand tighter, more technical shots.
Sitting 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 flat, nine-hole course that’s stroller-friendly. Players head through park-like settings and the occasional stand of ponderosa pine.
Disc Golf in Redmond, Oregon
Whether in town or a short drive away, disc golfers find a lot to love about the high-desert terrain around Redmond.
Dry Canyon Disc Golf Course, on Redmond’s west side, winds through all the hallmarks of the Central Oregon high desert—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 a standard 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. Just keep in mind that shade is sparse, 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 a game in around 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 to play (putters and mid-range discs can be rented for $5), but the 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 along the way. 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.
Disc Golf in Sisters, Oregon
Where disc golf is concerned, the city of Sisters is synonymous with the Hyzer Pines Disc Golf Course.
Hyzer Pines isn’t just Sisters’ only disc golf course; it’s one of the best-loved courses anywhere in the region, drawing newbies and experts alike from throughout Central Oregon. The 18-hole, partially shaded course is mostly flat, with minimal elevation change, 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 man-made lake) on the 14th and 15th holes. Views of the Three Sisters abound to the southwest.
And at nearby Black Butte Ranch, just 15 minutes from town, players can enjoy a nine-hole course that darts in and out of a lush pine forest. The mix of wide-open meadows and tighter, forested holes creates challenges for new and experienced players alike. Sweeping views include the Three Sisters and (naturally) Black Butte; rental equipment is available for $5 per person.
Disc Golf Near Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor offers four seasons of fun—the region’s most iconic ski slopes, a beloved mountain bike park, an on-site campground, summertime chairlift rides, and more—so is it any surprise the resort hosts a popular, if challenging disc golf course?
Golfers can ride the Pine Marten chairlift (or hike up) to the first hole, at which point they begin working their way back down the mountain over 18 hilly holes. Most of the course’s holes broadly follow the Coffee and Canyon runs, with alpine meadows and stunning peak views rounding out the scenic setting. The loose terrain and occasionally windy 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), sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended for the mountainous course (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; that said, no ticket or pass is required if golfers 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.
