Guest column: Snow or no snow, disc golf is flying in Bend
Published 3:35 pm Thursday, December 11, 2025
While skiers keep hoping for fresh powder, maybe this is the early winter season to try something new — like disc golf. This sport has been gaining fans and courses across Central Oregon, and it’s easy to see why.
Bend Park & Recreation District (BPRD) offers permanent disc golf courses year-round, and for the past few winters, Skyline Sports Complex has hosted a seasonal nine-hole course. Here’s the exciting news: Last month, the BPRD board of directors approved making Skyline a permanent, year-round course! As it turns out, Bend’s courses are among the most popular in the state.
For nearly 20 years, the Central Oregon Disc Golf Club has been building community around the game. Their mission: to make disc golf accessible and fun for everyone — locals and visitors alike. The club helped launch the Skyline pilot course and will now assist with upgrades like permanent tee pads and an extra set of baskets.
Pilot Butte looms beyond Pine Nursery Park’s disc golf course. (Courtesy Bend Park & Recreation District)
I’ll admit — I haven’t thrown a disc yet. But I have friends who light up whenever disc golf comes up in conversation. Some love short, technical courses. Others seek out obstacles for a challenge. And some just want to let it fly for distance.
Whatever your style, the Park District’s courses have something for beginners and seasoned players alike.
Pine Nursery Park is a longtime favorite, recently updated with new basket locations. Bonus: gorgeous sunset views when the weather cooperates.
Rockridge Park is a nine-hole “pitch and putt” course with two tees per basket — perfect for beginners or putting practice for pros.
Skyline Sports Complex is the newest addition, a short technical course that makes the most of the natural landscape. Parking is available in BPRD lots across from Cascade Middle School, or you can walk or bike in.
Skyline is a great example of a community-driven project that started as a trial and is now here to stay. As always, let’s share the space respectfully with walkers, joggers and sports field visitors. Stick to the course, and everyone wins.
A lengthy putt nears a basket at Pine Nursery Park, home to an 18-hole course. (Courtesy Bend Park & Recreation District)
And if winter delivers a big snowstorm? Skyline will offer Nordic ski grooming and even evening sessions under the lights. So, whether it’s discs or skis, BPRD has plenty of ways to keep you active this season — snow or no snow.
Enjoy your parks. Try something new. And have fun out there!
Disc golf courses in Bend
Pine Nursery Disc-Golf Course
Course Description: Eighteen-hole course with beautiful views of the Cascades. Mostly flat, though natural lava outcroppings and mounds offer subtle elevation. The foliage is mostly junipers, sage brush and thick desert grasses. Baskets are beautiful orange powder-coated Mach 5’s. 3790 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend.
Rockridge Park Disc-Golf Course
Course Description: Mostly flat putting course through old-growth juniper, natural lava outcroppings and mounds offer subtle elevation. The foliage is mostly junipers, sage brush and thick desert grasses. 20885 Egypt Dr, Bend, Oregon 97701
Skyline Sports Complex Disc-Golf Course
Course Description: Slight elevations, though old-growth ponderosa with natural foliage, including sage brush and thick desert grasses. 19617 Mountaineer Way, Bend.
Course maps are available on the BPRD website, bendparksandrec.org.
