Wisconsin's best disc golf courses

Wisconsin ranks as the 4th best disc golf state in America, with 469 courses spread from Lake Michigan's shoreline to the Northwoods pine forests. For Milwaukee-area families and disc golf enthusiasts, some of the sport's finest destinations sit just one to five hours away — many of them free. This guide covers 22 top-rated courses across every region of the state, complete with drive times, fees, ratings, and nearby attractions to build the perfect road trip.

The state's disc golf scene has exploded from fewer than 10 courses in 1992 to nearly 500 today, and Wisconsin now boasts two courses in UDisc's global top 50. Whether you want a quick Saturday outing to the Lakeshore, a long weekend exploring Madison's championship layouts, or an epic Northwoods vacation anchored by the world's first disc golf resort, this guide maps out every option worth your gas money.

Milwaukee's North Shore Disc Golf

Before you hit the highway, the North Shore has a surprisingly vibrant disc golf scene of its own. Along the Lake Michigan shore, you'll find family-friendly practice areas, school-yard nine-hole loops, and championship-style tracks tucked into county parks. The variety means you can warm up with short holes one day and tackle more challenging terrain the next.

Doctor's Park Practice Loop (Fox Point) is a free, two-hole practice setup in the heart of Fox Point. Open daily from dawn until dusk, this unhurried spot lets beginners work on drives and putting without feeling rushed. Homestead High School Course (Mequon) wraps nine holes around athletic fields and uses GPS-guided tee locations — most groups finish in under an hour, making it an ideal after-school or weekend family outing. Nearby, the Concordia University Course (Mequon) offers nine baskets on flat turf near the tennis courts, easily navigable by cart and perfect for dialing in fundamentals before stepping up to more rugged terrain.

The crown jewel of the North Shore is Estabrook Disc Golf Course, featuring 18 technically tight holes with multiple pin placements. It rewards accuracy over power and wraps up just steps from a lakeside beer garden — ideal for post-round relaxation. Local recreation departments and sports outfitters run beginner clinics throughout the season, and kids as young as six can learn grip, form, and course strategy in small, supportive groups. If you want one-on-one tips, look for weekend workshops that focus on putting drills and shot shaping.

When you're ready to level up beyond the North Shore, Milwaukee County's premier layouts are a short drive south. Brown Deer delivers 21 holes with water hazards and tight fairways. Dineen Park offers rolling hills, concrete tee pads, and year-round access. And Dretzka Park — arguably the metro area's best — features an 18-hole championship course plus a nine-hole loop with elevation changes and mixed open-wooded shots.

A few quick tips for playing the North Shore and county courses: full-length county courses require a day permit or annual tag, while practice loops remain free. Early mornings and weekdays tend to be quieter, and you should always check for tournaments before you go. Stay on marked paths, call through faster groups, and pack out any trash.

From teaching young players their first backhand to mastering tight wooded fairways, the North Shore offers a disc golf experience for everyone. But once you've conquered the local courses, the rest of Wisconsin is calling — and the road trip options below will give you plenty of reasons to load up the car.

Fox Valley and the Lakeshore

The closest elite disc golf to Milwaukee sits along the I-43 and I-41 corridors, where Manitowoc County alone holds two globally ranked courses.

Rollin' Ridge in Reedsville (Manitowoc County) is the crown jewel — ranked #48 in the world by UDisc with a 4.8/5 rating from over 2,300 reviews. This privately owned course features 18 holes with three concrete tee pads and three permanent baskets per hole, creating 54+ unique layout combinations that range from moderate to punishing. The on-site pro shop stocks discs, cold beer, and snacks, while a wrap-around deck and player lounge make lingering easy. Tent camping is available ($20–25/night including course access and showers). Green fees run $7/round or $10/day in summer, with kids 12 and under free. Drive time from Milwaukee: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Just 20 minutes south, Silver Creek Park in Manitowoc delivers 36 holes through 71 wooded acres along Lake Michigan's shoreline — and it's completely free. UDisc rates it 4.7/5 from 2,600+ reviews, making it one of the top 30 free courses on the planet. The signature Hole #22, nicknamed the "Lighthouse Hole," places the basket atop a lighted lighthouse structure with Lake Michigan on three sides. The park also offers beaches, hiking trails, and a playground, making it ideal for families. Drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Over in Green Bay, the brand-new Shorewood Disc Golf Course at UW-Green Bay opened in August 2024 and already carries a 4.6/5 UDisc rating. Designed by renowned pro Cale Leiviska on the former Shorewood traditional golf course, it blends open rolling terrain with a captivating wooded ravine section. Two tee positions per hole accommodate all skill levels, and it's currently free with donation boxes. Pair it with a Lambeau Field visit and Bay Beach Amusement Park (rides start at 25 cents). Drive time: 2 hours.

For families, Plamann Park in Appleton offers 27 holes across two courses (Apple Creek 18 + Meadowview 9) inside a sprawling 257-acre park that also features a children's farm, swimming lake, and concession stand. Rated 4.1/5 on UDisc and voted "Best of the Valley" multiple years, this free course hosted the 1998 PDGA Amateur World Championships. Drive time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

In Sheboygan, Vollrath Park holds a special place in history as Wisconsin's oldest disc golf course, established in 1980. The 18 hilly, wooded holes wind along Lake Michigan with beautiful views, and "The Shack" — a pro shop literally 20 feet from the first tee — sells discs, bags, and snacks. It's free, beginner-friendly, and just 1 hour from Milwaukee, making it the easiest day trip on this list.

Madison and the southwest

Madison ranks as Wisconsin's 3rd best disc golf city, with 8 courses, 15 active leagues, and 4 dedicated disc golf stores. The courses here require modest daily permits, but the quality justifies every dollar.

Vallarta-Ast at Token Creek County Park in DeForest (just northeast of Madison) is an award-winning 27-hole championship course with a 4.6/5 UDisc rating from over 3,000 reviews. Designed by Larry Ast, it features two concrete tee pads on every hole and baskets that rotate between three placements. Every nine-hole loop returns you near the parking lot — convenient for families. The course requires a $8/day or $50/year Dane County permit (free for ages 15 and under), which also covers Capital Springs. Drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Elver Park on Madison's west side matches Token Creek's 4.6/5 rating from an even larger pool of 3,300 reviews. Built along cross-country ski trails through grasslands and pine plantations, the 18-hole course features dramatic elevation changes and dual tee/basket positions that scale from easy to hard. A $7/day or $45/year City of Madison permit covers both Elver and Hiestand Park. One catch: the course closes November through April for snow sports. Drive time: 1 hour 25 minutes.

Hiestand Park on Madison's east side is the area's only year-round course, rated 4.4/5 on UDisc. Rolling hills, old hardwood trees, and the famous Hole 3 — a 400+ foot bomb off a massive hill — make this a local favorite. Glide Disc Golf, one of Madison's premier pro shops with a massive disc selection, sits directly across the street. Covered by the same City of Madison permit as Elver.

Two hidden gems round out the region. Bird's Ruins in Marshall, just 15 minutes east of Madison, packs 28 holes through deep woods, open prairie, and water hazards for just $5/day. It hosted the 2016 PDGA Amateur World Championships and carries a 4.2/5 rating. Drive time from Milwaukee: 1 hour 15 minutes — the closest Madison-area course. And Tyrol Basin in Mount Horeb plays across a ski hill with sweeping Driftless Region views, charging $5/round for 18 holes of dramatic elevation. The charming village of Mount Horeb — self-proclaimed "Troll Capital of the World" — and Cave of the Mounds are minutes away.

Central Wisconsin

The Stevens Point corridor is a disc golf pilgrimage every Wisconsin player should make at least once.

Standing Rocks in Stevens Point (Portage County) consistently ranks among the best courses in the upper Midwest, with a 4.7/5 UDisc rating from over 1,650 reviews. Carved through 524 acres of heavily wooded terrain studded with natural rock formations, the course offers 33 holes across three loops (Mid, West, and East). Expect moderate-to-advanced challenge with valley shots, tricky greens, and significant elevation across approximately 3.4 miles of walking. Rubber tee pads, excellent signage, flush restrooms, and drinking water elevate the experience. A $5/day or $40/season pass gets you in from May through November. Drive time: 2 hours 30 minutes.

The perfect companion round sits 10 minutes away at Yulga Park, an 18-hole course rated 4.4/5 on UDisc and completely free. Where Standing Rocks is hilly and rocky, Yulga is flat and wooded — tight lines through pine plantations and old oak groves demanding precision over power. Three tee pads per hole make it versatile for mixed-skill family groups. The nearby Green Circle Trail offers 27 miles of biking and hiking, while Stevens Point's craft brewery scene (Stevens Point Brewery, O'so Brewing, Central Waters) rewards post-round thirst.

Farther north near Mosinee, Big Eau Pleine County Park pairs a solid 19-hole course (UDisc 4.3/5, free) with a 1,450-acre park featuring sandy beaches, boat launches, campgrounds, and playgrounds on the Big Eau Pleine Flowage. This is the ideal disc golf course for a camping weekend with the family. Drive time: 2 hours 50 minutes.

Near Wisconsin Rapids, the North Park of Wood County hides 20 holes through mature forest with old stone buildings and bridges creating an almost magical atmosphere. At just $4/day, it's one of the state's great hidden gems (UDisc 4.2/5).

Western Wisconsin

The western third of the state offers some of Wisconsin's most dramatic disc golf terrain, anchored by destination resorts and free riverside courses.

Justin Trails Resort near Sparta is a true disc golf destination in the heart of the Driftless Region. Two courses — the Classic (18 holes, UDisc 4.6/5) and Big Brother (18–19 holes, UDisc 4.7/5) — play across 200+ acres of wooded hills and open prairie with hawks circling overhead. The Classic is accessible for families; Big Brother is a championship beast stretching 3.5 miles with massive elevation and dense woods. The resort charges $10/day for public visitors (free for overnight guests) and offers cabins, B&B suites, and camping. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail, one of Wisconsin's most famous bike paths with historic train tunnels, runs nearby. Drive time: 2.5–3 hours.

In La Crosse, Pettibone Park threads 27 holes through woods and along the Mississippi River waterfront — all for free. Rated 4.4/5 on UDisc with 1,250+ reviews, it's the best free course in western Wisconsin. Downtown La Crosse sits just across a bridge, with Grandad Bluff (an iconic overlook), Pearl Street breweries, and Mississippi River recreation all within minutes.

The Eau Claire–Chippewa Falls corridor is ranked #1 disc golf metro in Wisconsin by UDisc, with 25+ courses in the Chippewa Valley. Tower Ridge Recreation Area offers two championship 18-hole courses (both rated 4.3/5) winding through towering oaks and pines with significant elevation — 36 holes for a $6/vehicle parking fee. Fifteen minutes north in Chippewa Falls, the Leinenkugel's Disc Golf Course at Casper Park was professionally designed by Cale Leiviska and includes an 18-hole championship layout plus a 6-hole wheelchair-accessible beginner course, all free. Pair it with a tour of the legendary Leinenkugel Brewery next door and the free Irvine Park Zoo. Drive time to Eau Claire: 3.5–4 hours.

For something quirky, Fawn Creek Winery near Wisconsin Dells offers a challenging 9-hole wooded course on winery grounds — play a round, then taste award-winning wines. It's free (winery purchases encouraged) and sits minutes from every Dells waterpark and attraction. Drive time: 2 hours.

The Northwoods

Northern Wisconsin transforms disc golf into a vacation experience, with courses woven through pine forests, set beside pristine lakes, and designed by the sport's pioneers.

Sandy Point Resort Disc Golf Ranch in Lac du Flambeau has been rated #1 in Wisconsin on UDisc every year from 2020 through 2025, carrying a remarkable 4.8/5 rating from nearly 1,400 reviews. Dubbed "The World's First Disc Golf Resort" and named a "Disc Golf Sanctuary" by disc golf inventor Steady Ed Headrick himself, this 27–29-hole course is carved through gorgeous Northwoods pine and hardwood forests on the shores of 785-acre Amber Lake. The on-site pro shop (open daily 10–5) stocks the latest gear. Seven vacation cabins sit on the property, and resort guests play free — public visitors pay just $5/day. It's also home to the Wisconsin Disc Golf Hall of Fame. Drive time: 4.5 hours.

Just outside Minocqua, Squirrel Hill at Minocqua Winter Park has rocketed to a 4.8/5 UDisc rating since opening. The 18-hole course plays along ski trails through forests and emerges onto an old alpine hill with a historic fire tower offering panoramic views from the summit. Dual basket positions on every hole adjust difficulty. A $5 donation is suggested. Drive time: 4–4.5 hours.

Near Rhinelander, Rookery Run in the Newbold Outdoor Recreation Area is ranked #5 in all of Wisconsin on UDisc with a 4.6/5 rating — and it's completely free. Built creatively on a landfill closed 40+ years ago, the 18 holes feature wide fairways, dual concrete tee pads, and a punishing mix of open and wooded terrain. Drive time: 4 hours.

The most ambitious destination sits in the far north. Highbridge Hills Disc Golf Megaplex near Ashland spans 225 acres with six separate 18-hole courses (108 holes total) through the Penokee Mountain Range. Courses range from the family-friendly Playground to the brutally difficult Bear, with UDisc ratings between 4.3 and 4.7. Greens fees are $10/round or $20/day, and on-site camping costs $40/night including disc golf. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is just 45 minutes north. This is a multi-day bucket-list trip. Drive time: 5.5–6 hours.

Disc golf shops, leagues, and events across the state

Wisconsin's disc golf infrastructure extends well beyond courses. 74 stores sell disc golf gear statewide, and several deserve special mention for road-tripping visitors.

• Glide Disc Golf (Madison, across from Hiestand Park) — The state's premier pro shop since 2008, stocking every major brand with new and used inventory

• MadMando Discs (Madison, near Elver Park) — Dedicated shop serving the west side

• The Shack at Vollrath Park (Sheboygan) — Pro shop literally at the first tee, open seasonally

• Sandy Point Pro Shop (Lac du Flambeau) — Full gear selection at the resort, open daily

• Rollin' Ridge Pro Shop (Reedsville) — Discs, beer, snacks, and a pool table

• Wingz Disc Golf (Menasha) — Major tournament organizer and retailer in the Fox Valley

The Wisconsin Disc Golf Tour, established in 1993, is one of America's oldest state tours with 19–22 PDGA-sanctioned stops per season running March through October. Major annual events include the Mad City Open (A-Tier, Madison), the Silver Cup (A-Tier, Manitowoc — at Silver Creek, Rollin' Ridge, and Lower Cato Falls), the Lake Superior Open (A-Tier, Superior), and the Northwoods Open at Sandy Point. The tour finale in recent years has rotated between Justin Trails, Highbridge Hills, and Standing Rocks.

The Wisconsin Disc Sports Association (widiscsports.com) coordinates the tour and has distributed over $90,000 in development grants since 2000 to support new course construction statewide. Active regional clubs include the Chippewa Valley Disc Golf Organization (2,000 members in the Eau Claire area), Discover Eastern Wisconsin Disc Golf, and dozens of local groups listed on DiscGolfScene.com.

Suggested road trip itineraries

The easy Saturday (half-day): Drive an hour north to Vollrath Park in Sheboygan for a quick 18 on Wisconsin's oldest course, grab a Sheboygan bratwurst, then head 30 minutes north to Silver Creek Park in Manitowoc for 18–36 free holes along Lake Michigan. Total drive time: under 3 hours round trip.

The Lakeshore classic (full day): Start at Rollin' Ridge in Reedsville for a world-top-50 morning round, then play Silver Creek Park in the afternoon. Both courses sit 20 minutes apart, and Manitowoc offers the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and lakefront dining between rounds.

The Madison long weekend: Day 1 — Bird's Ruins in Marshall on your way in, then Hiestand Park (stop at Glide Disc Golf across the street). Day 2 — Token Creek (27 holes, morning) and Capital Springs (afternoon), both on one Dane County permit. Day 3 — Elver Park (morning) then Tyrol Basin in Mount Horeb for ski-hill disc golf with Driftless views.

The Stevens Point pilgrimage (weekend): Day 1 — Standing Rocks (allow 3+ hours for 33 holes of bucket-list terrain), then Yulga Park in the afternoon. Dinner at a Stevens Point brewery. Day 2 — Big Eau Pleine near Mosinee (pair with beach time and camping), then North Park of Wood County on the way home.

The Northwoods vacation (3–5 days): Days 1–2 in Minocqua playing Sandy Point Resort, Squirrel Hill, and Brandy Lake (swim at the beach after). Day 3 — Rookery Run near Rhinelander. Days 4–5 — Highbridge Hills Megaplex for the full 108-hole experience with on-site camping and a side trip to the Apostle Islands.

The western Wisconsin epic (3 days): Day 1 — Wisconsin Dells (Fawn Creek Winery for disc golf plus wine) then on to Sparta. Day 2 — Justin Trails Resort (Classic and Big Brother, 36+ holes in the Driftless). Day 3 — Pettibone Park in La Crosse (free 27 holes on the Mississippi) then Tower Ridge and Leinenkugel's in the Eau Claire–Chippewa Falls corridor, capped with a Leinenkugel Brewery tour.

Conclusion

Wisconsin's disc golf landscape rewards every type of trip — from the hour-long escape to Sheboygan's lakefront to the once-in-a-lifetime Northwoods odyssey through Sandy Point and Highbridge Hills. The state's remarkable density of 4.5+ rated courses means you're rarely more than two hours from a world-class round. For Milwaukee families, the sweet spot may be the Fox Valley corridor, where Rollin' Ridge and Silver Creek deliver globally ranked disc golf with a 90-minute drive. For serious enthusiasts, the Stevens Point–Sparta–Eau Claire triangle packs the highest concentration of elite courses into a single road trip loop. And for those willing to make the full pilgrimage north, Sandy Point's six consecutive years atop Wisconsin's rankings speaks for itself. Pack the discs, load the family, and go — nearly half these courses won't cost you a dime.