Updated July 30, 2025
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Kansas’s scenic views—from public courses on farms and college campuses to lakeside fairways and city parks—make it the prime place to design a disc golf course. Ranked as the ninth-best disc golf state in the United States, Kansas has 372 courses, according to UDisc (2025)
I’m not a regular disc golf player and I’m definitely still learning how to throw. But my boyfriend is an avid player, so I’ve walked countless courses, interviewed a course designer for the blog, and I’ve attended a tournament to observe how the pros play.
Please consider this list a starter guide to disc golf courses in Sunflower State. Of course, for a comprehensive list, consult the UDisc golf app.
EMPORIA
If there is one thing Emporia is well-known for, it is disc golf. The South Central Kansas town has earned the name, Disc Golf Capital of the World.
Jones Park is 70 acres of a championship-level disc golf course known as The Supreme 18. Sports lovers will appreciate Peter Pan Park Optimist 18-hole disc golf course, the home of the Dynamic Discs Open.
Serious disc golfers travel from afar to compete in the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Champions tournament in late summer/early fall. The park includes two courses that provide golfers with a chance to showcase their athleticism.
BONUS STOP: The disc golf craze in Emporia is undeniable. The town was named America’s #1 Disc Golf Small Town by UDisc. I added an extra stop to my itinerary after a world champion, Eric McCabe, message me via Instagram I tour Dynamic Distribution (840 Overland Rd. Suite A).
The enormous warehouse houses multiple rooms of shelves stacked to the ceiling with discs, bags, and apparel.
BONNER SPRINGS
I’m a novice at the sport, so meeting Cedar Ridge Disc Golf Course‘s co-designer, Jared, for a quick lesson was a plus.
The 18-hole course (1200 South 134th St.) is highly rated on UDisc for its meticulous design featuring cart-friendly paths and tree-covered baskets. Flags atop each basket make them easy to spot, and the maps perfectly match each hole’s design. Cedar Ridge is easy to navigate.
Each hole can be played two ways from concrete pads. Only a couple of water hazards make it challenging. The course hosts five to seven tournaments a year.
View a second course in Bonner Springs, Wyandotte County Park.
MANHATTAN
Calling all outdoor adventurers! A beautiful day spent at Tuttle Creek State Park isn’t complete without a round of disc golf.
Of course, you’ll need to purchase a $5 vehicle day pass to the park ($25/year), but it’s worth it to access the 18-hole Tuttle Creek State Park River Road course.
Disc golfers can expect a course that winds through shaded tree canopies, opening to picturesque views of the 80-acre lake. Concrete tee boxes and manicured fairways make ringing chains a delight.
View more courses in Manhattan.
PAOLA
I used my Kansas State Park Vehicle Pass to access the a pitch and putt golf course at Hillsdale State Park. Built with rubber mat tees, the course is short and easy to navigate.
The golf course is located close to public restaurants, drinking water, and a hiking path.
View more courses in Paola, Kansas.
MARYSVILLE
The northeast corner of the state is home to excellent disc golf courses, and Marysville’s city park disc golf course, Black Squirrel, is no exception.
Part of the thrill of playing the amateur course is pausing to spot black squirrels running up and down trees amongst the fairways.
View more courses in Marysville.
LINDSBORG
Disc golf is a popular sport for outdoor enthusiasts in Kansas, and Bethany Lutheran College’s 9-hole course is a no-cost way to play a round on campus.
Over 2,000 feet of course, golfers can catch glimpses of gorgeous sculptures on campus. Each hole is a par 3; grass tees and open spaces make the course approachable for beginners. To find Hole 1, walk to the Northwest corner of Gregory Hall.
GREAT BEND
In my travels across Kansas, I’ve seen many city parks, and Great Bend’s Veteran’s Memorial Park (17th and McKinley Streets) is at the top of the list for its offerings, which include a disc golf course.
The moderately challenging course is designed among beautiful trees of nearly every variety. Concrete tee pads and highly visible red baskets make it idyllic for a round of 18 holes.
Due to the 12-acre lake, novice players will find a couple of holes challenging, so I recommend they pack a retriever or floating disc.
View more courses in Great Bend.
COLWICH
The first course I ever played was in Colwich at Cowskin Disc Golf Course, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. At least, not for me at the time.
Each hole of the 18-hole course has three tee pad options, some fairways are considerably tree lined or tree covered while others are open and easier to play.
EL DORADO
El Dorado’s Legion Park is an 18-hole amateur (short pad) and championship level course (long pad) with concrete tees and cart-friendly paths.
Parts of the fairways meander adjacent commercial-use buildings and the sound of traffic hums.
View more courses in El Dorado.
NEWTON
Concrete tee pads and wide open play make Centennial Park’s Disc Golf Course worth an 18-hole round to ring chains. The well-groomed landscape includes signage for easy-to-navigate play for beginner to experienced players.
BEL AIRE
It’s a short 9-hole course, but Bel Aire’s Alley Park Disc Golf Course is a course that is consistently in good condition, making it ideal for a quick round.
Nestled in a residential neighborhood, the course includes dirt pads and golfers will need to be watchful of the pond in the center.
Two newly installed benches are nice for bystanders to rest, and leashed dogs are welcomed. Parking is limited to three to four cars.
GREENSBURG
If you like disc golf, Davis Park is the place to master your long and short game. The park has two picnic shelters, plenty of shade, playground equipment, and RV electric hookups.
ANDOVER
We played Andover’s Centennial Park’s 18-hole disc golf course, which UDisc ranks high based on over 600 ratings. Players can expect concrete tee pads and baskets with flags at each hole.
The map and signage make the course easy to follow, and the scenery consists of mature trees and George Lake. The play is moderately complex, with short and long shots from well-kept, wide fairways. Although the map included amateur and pro-play options, pro baskets were unavailable during our visit.
WELLINGTON
Meander your way through Woods Park to fling discs into 18 baskets nestled amongst playgrounds, picnic areas, and a pond serving as a water hazard.
Established in 2016, the course includes concrete pads and wide fairways make for relaxing play. Pause between holes to rest on a nearby bench under a canopy of trees or snap pictures of a nearby waterfall.
COFFEYVILLE
Walter Johnson Park is home Dena Dee, an 18-hole disc golf course that winds around the ball fields, playground, and RV park. It’s free to play the course and available from dawn to dusk.
For most disc golfers, many of the course’s holes are considered easy to moderate. The course is ranked the 113th-best course in the state.
WINFIELD
The Farm at Quail Valley (934 194th Dr.) isn’t just an event center located outside of town used for weddings and large events. It’s also the site of the #1 disc golf course in Kansas that is also ranked #58 in the world. For disc golfers, it’s the holy grail of courses.
The 18-hole course is casually referred to as The Beast because of its challenging design that includes many opportunities to potentially lose one’s discs in water hazards and challenging holes. Designed by disc golf world champion Eric McCabe, the course often hosts tournaments.
View more courses in Winfield.
PITTSBURG
Exploring the outdoors is made more fun at Schlanger Park. The home of a disc golf course, dog park, playground, and splash pad, it provides hours of entertainment for the entire family.
If you choose to play the 18-hole course, expect the wooded areas to offer a bit of a challenge. The course is a mix of open fields and covered trails. All 18 holes are a par 3.
View more courses in Pittsburg.
SCOTT CITY
Bring your discs to Palmer Park to play 18 holes from concrete tee pads. The in-town course is located across from the municipal pool and winds through the park.
Scott City is also home to a second course, Lake Scott State Park, which is located outside of town. You need to pay for a $5 park day pass or use your Kansas State Parks Vehicle Pass to enter the area. Established in 2019, the course is uneven terrain with dirt tee boxes.
BONUS! We’ve also traveled to other parts of the United States playing courses worthy of visiting: Fort Dodge, Iowa, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
My journey to discover more about disc golf culture has only begun. I look forward to improving my skills as I travel to more courses throughout Kansas and elsewhere.
WHAT TO PACK
Leave the house prepared for a fun day of playing disc golf packing my go-to essentials: disc golf shoulder bag (holds 22+discs), 32 oz. water bottle, driver disc, putter disc, hand wipes, and a cooling towel.
If you’ve played a Kansas disc golf course that I didn’t include, drop a suggestion in the comments below and let me know why you recommend it.
The region is best known for its covered bridges and awe-inspiring views—towns like Winterset, St. Charles, and nearby Orient offer incredible dining, one-of-a-kind shopping, and unequaled museums.
Spending a weekend exploring Madison County will make you fall in love with it like I did.
I thought the Reuben on marble rye bread, a cup of homemade Strawberry Soup, and a glass of iced raspberry tea was divine. Sharing a towering lemon meringue pie, we chatted about Winterset and the town’s history.
PRO TIP: The eatery is open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with limited seating. Small groups should reserve a table in advance. Add a few minutes of extra time to your lunch to peruse the restaurant’s displayed antiques – many of which are for sale.
A self-guided tour of Clark Tower was, by far, my favorite discovery. We traversed a narrow, one-mile road by car to the top of a curvy hill en route to it. Built in 1926 in honor of early settlers, the limestone landmark resembles something from a fairy tale.
Another park feature not to be missed includes the whimsical chainsaw sculptures by Iowa artist Gary Keenan. The English Hedge Maze leads to a sundial, and an adjacent bocce ball court invites parkers to play a game.
Nearby Bennett Cabin and Cutler-Donahue Bridge, each built in the 1800s, are photo-worthy attractions.
Seek out the stone bridge for another photo moment. It’s the location where Robert and Francesca’s movie scene was filmed.
PRO TIP: Traveling with kids? Prepare to explore the park and its play features for at least an hour.
Spanning 79 feet, the bridge is within walking distance of the road that winds through the park. You’ll appreciate the stone bridge, also nearby, the site of the movie’s film scene where Robert and Francesca enjoy a picnic.
Parking is available nearby, and the path to the bridge is easy to navigate.
After sampling red and white drier varieties, we ultimately bought a bottle of LaCresent 2021 (2017 Mid-American Wine Competition Silver winner) to bring home.
Whether you drop in for a glass of wine in the tasting room or on the patio overlooking the valley, I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. They don’t push wine on you to try, and instead serve you “whichever wine you like to drink.”
At 
During our visit, we chose to sit on the front porch to watch as summer rainstorm clouds developed. I sipped Lime Habanero Hard Cider, which finished sweet and sampled another favorite, John Wayne Bone Dry Hard Cider. Each one tasted crisp with authentic flavor.
PRO TIP: Check the 
You’ll appreciate the scenic view at this one. Like each covered bridge in the county, it was renovated in the 1990s to maintain its beauty.
Unfortunately, the bridge fell victim to arson twice in recent years and had to be reconstructed. The replica reminds us of the sentiment shared by the movie’s characters portrayed by Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
He lived in Winterset until age seven. As a boy, he walked about town with his brother and dog, Duke. Eventually taking on the nickname Duke, the family moved to California in 1914. The actor starred in 170 films.
The first stop? The museum’s theater room for a short film highlighting his achievements. Next, take a self-guided tour of each of the two galleries.
I was curious about the actor’s collection of coffee mugs – he had a keepsake mug made for each movie. Handwritten letters, a car, clothing, and an address book were some of the personal items included in the collection.
PRO TIP: I recommend devoting at least an hour to touring the birthplace home and museum if you like to read each panel. Review the John Wayne In Iowa map showing the family’s moves across the state.
I was impressed to find a basket of free produce available near the checkout counter, which I assumed came from the community garden behind the library outside.
Modern benches with historical references were added to the park. I enjoyed learning about how George Washington Carver wandered into Winterset, where he lived and worked for two years.
An art alley with interactive murals is adjacent to the Madison County Courthouse. Artists James Navarro and Katie Jensen intended visitors to discover ways to pose with the paintings.
We shared a charcuterie board while sipping craft beers as a prelude to dinner. The Drift Salad and Roast Beef Panini served on locally sourced bread made the dining experience exceptional.
PRO TIP: If you’re not a craft beer drinker (21 Iowa beers on tap!), ask about wine and mead selections. Non-alcoholic beers are an option.
A restored 1908 country home turned 
A short drive from dining, shopping, and museums in Winterset, it was perfect for us. We watched the movie The Bridges Over Madison County at night while drinking champagne in a room surrounded by antiques and framed artwork.
The charming home had every comfort we wanted, and to be honest, I loved the experience so much that I wished the house was for sale so we could buy it.
The creak of the original wood floors.The sunset view from the porch. I loved our stay, as will you.
From fresh groceries to retro candy and sodas to home decor and toys, you’ll find something you can’t leave the store without. I purchased a scented candle, Fresh Cut Grass.
PRO TIP: Kids get a free used book when they visit, and the monthly book club selections keep shoppers returning for new reads.
The clothing, shoes, and accessories for sale are on-trend, including the latest seasonal fashions. The inviting store features a stroller parking zone and interactive spaces for kiddos, such as a push-and-listen station (are those bees buzzing?) and a toy treasure box.
In preparation for fall, I noticed an abundance of witchy decor items; however, they may sell similar whimsical gifts year-round.
Seasonal floral picks and sit-a-bouts are arranged in vignettes throughout the store.
Most of the jewelry is handmade by the owner. Silver spoons are crafted into rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Shoppers in search of faith-based finds will appreciate the store’s inventory.
PRO TIP: Like what you see here but can’t make it to the shop? Visit her 
I loved how each houseplant was given a name to make the shopping experience more fun. I couldn’t leave without buying a handcrafted greeting card for our house host.
PRO TIP: Visit the 
We enjoyed a five-sample tasting of wines of our choice while visiting with the owner/winemaker. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the process of wine production from vine to glass while we enjoyed a platter of artisan cheeses, meats, and chocolates with our wine.
I appreciated the aged white cheddar with the dry Rosato red wine. Other favorites included crisp and refreshing Vignoles, semi-dry white Hunter’s Moon, and Red Cabernet.
What started as a jewelry business evolved into a specialty store selling dishes, apparel, gourmet foods, fresh floral arrangements, and more.
Wayward Saints Farm LLC produces goat milk products such as soaps, lotions, and hand-poured soy candles. You may find them at an area farmers market when they are not running the shop.
On the day of my visit, I voted for my favorite quilt, a 3-D pattern, from the collection “Welcome Home: A Celebrate of Quilts.” It was interesting to look closely at the handiwork of quilts dating back to the 1850s.
PRO TIP: The museum installs new 
PRO TIP: If you visit Friday-Sunday, stop next door at the 
Upon our arrival, we followed the path to the kitchen to order our brick oven pizzas and house-made cucumber salad. We walked with craft beers in hand to a table of friendly locals who welcomed us to sit with them.
Live folk music played as we dined on two styles of pizzas and engaged in conversation with our new friends. Inspired by the sunset, we left the table to walk a manicured path through the prairie amongst towering sunflowers and a temporary Prairie Art Exhibit.
The unique experience left an impression on us. After driving back from the event, we vowed to do two things: 1.) Learn how to make fresh tomato compote (delicious on the pizza) and 2.) Take our new friend’s advice for aging well, “Stay active and be social.”
PRO TIP: Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket to the event.
The popular cafe serves gorgeous, scratch-made pastries with top-quality coffee. The grab-and-go options like salads, wraps, and bakery items made with locally sourced ingredients.
Craving an old-fashioned cherry Pepsi®, I entered the store and headed to the back, where I discovered a nostalgic scene. Residents sat on bar stools and in booths, enjoying a hot breakfast and discussing the day’s events.
Only a 12-minute drive southwest of Winterset, the park is well-revered by locals for its five miles of trails, picnic areas, and historic 1858 Harmon Tunnel – the only highway tunnel in the state.
The town celebrates the park’s 100th anniversary this year.
FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
It’s time you plan a vacation to Madison County, Iowa.
