Four courses, most of them free, all of them in the pines. Flagstaff has quietly become one of Arizona's best disc golf towns, with a real league scene and layouts that run from beginner-friendly park rounds to a mountain course at Arizona Snowbowl. Here is where to play, what to bring, and how to plug into the local community.
Why is Flagstaff good for disc golf?
Free courses, cool mountain air, and terrain that keeps rounds interesting. Disc golf has been around since the early 1960s, and the game is simple: throw special discs into metal baskets in as few tosses as possible. Flagstaff's parks and forests supply courses at every difficulty, the temperate climate keeps summer rounds comfortable, and the elevation adds a little extra flight to every drive.
Where are the disc golf courses in Flagstaff?
Flagstaff has four main options: Fort Tuthill County Park, McPherson Park, Thorpe Park, and the mountain course at Arizona Snowbowl, plus a 9-hole course at Northern Arizona University.
Fort Tuthill
The most popular course in town, and completely free. This 18-hole layout, designed by professional disc golfers, moves through open fields and wooded forest with hills and streams worked into the design, so every skill level finds a challenge. It sits inside Fort Tuthill County Park, with picnic areas and playgrounds around it and mountain views over the fairways. Recent updates added new tees, new baskets, and a tougher layout.
McPherson Park
An 18-hole course near downtown at 1650 N Turquoise Dr, free to play and easy to reach. Expect demanding long drives and careful line reading near the basket, with layouts that mix open field and forested sections. The park is well kept and has practice areas.
Thorpe Park
An 18-hole course at 600 N Thorpe Rd that stays busy with locals and visitors, friendly to beginners and intermediates alike. The course crosses open fields, wooded areas, and a water hazard, with parking, practice areas, and restrooms on site. Thorpe also hosts the annual Highlander Classic, a tournament that benefits The Shadows Foundation and draws players from around the country.
Arizona Snowbowl
The challenge course, added for the 2022 season at the base of Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort just outside town. Eighteen holes on the mountainside with serious elevation change, long-range drives, and tree lines, plus the best views of any course on this list.
How to get involved in the community
Join a league
The Flagstaff Disc Golf League holds weekly events at both McPherson and Thorpe Parks and welcomes all skill levels. The Flagstaff Disc Golf Club and Northern Arizona Disc Golf Association also run regular play. Leagues are the fastest way to meet the regulars and sharpen your game.
Play the events
Tournaments, putting contests, clinics, and charity events run through the year, including the NAU Disc Golf Tournament and the Flagstaff Run Through the Pines. The Flagstaff Disc Golf League website keeps the current calendar. Putting contests are usually separate side events with their own entry fees, ace prizes typically pay out cash or gear for a hole-in-one, and local businesses sponsor events that fund course improvements.
How to prepare for a day of disc golf in Flagstaff
What discs should you bring?
Beginners do best with a small variety of discs in different weights and flight patterns to cover different terrain. Advanced players will want their drivers and specialty discs, especially for the long lines at McPherson and Snowbowl.
What should you wear?
Dress for mountain weather: breathable athletic wear in summer, layers in the cold months. Sturdy shoes with grip matter more than anything else here, since the terrain gets rugged.
Any etiquette to know?
The usual course manners: wait your turn, do not interfere with other groups, pack out your trash, and check each course's posted rules before you tee off.
Other disc golf courses in Arizona
Beyond the big four, Buffalo Park in Flagstaff offers another in-town round, and NAU's 9-hole course serves students and the community. Statewide, top-rated options include Fountain Hills near Phoenix and Veterans Memorial in Prescott, while forest hideaways like Pine Shadows in Cottonwood, Ponderosa in Payson, and Forest Lakes near Heber-Overgaard reward the drive.
Making a full trip of it? Flagstaff's courses pair well with a night under canvas; our guide to campsites in Flagstaff covers everything from RV parks to free dispersed sites, and the best restaurants in Flagstaff will handle the post-round appetite.
Questions people ask
Where are the Flagstaff disc golf courses located?
McPherson Park is at 1650 N Turquoise Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, and Thorpe Park is at 600 N Thorpe Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Fort Tuthill's course sits in Fort Tuthill County Park south of town, and the newest course is at the base of Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort.
Is there a disc golf league in Flagstaff?
Yes. The Flagstaff Disc Golf League is open to all levels and holds weekly events at McPherson and Thorpe Parks, and it sponsors activities that improve the local courses.
Are the courses free to play?
The park courses are. Fort Tuthill, McPherson, and Thorpe are all free, which is a large part of why the local scene keeps growing.
After your round
Disc golf gets you into Flagstaff's forests; a walking tour gets you into its streets. Our daytime Flagstaff mural tour covers downtown's murals, ghost signs, and the artists behind them for $29, and it makes an easy cooldown after 18 holes in the pines. Every story on the walk is researched and verified, and the route ends within reach of the town's best patios.
Keep reading
- Things To Do in Flagstaff
- Campsites in Flagstaff
- Flagstaff Nightlife: Discover Bars, Haunted Tours & More
