Disc Golf Courses in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs

Chicago's southwest suburbs have a surprisingly strong disc golf scene, ranging from nationally recognized destination courses to simple neighborhood layouts where beginners can learn the game. This guide covers established courses across Will County and southern Cook County, with the strongest destination courses listed first and shorter local options included later.

Each listing includes the park or course name, location, Google Maps link, number of holes, general course style, and the features that make it different. Disc golfers regularly travel between suburbs to play, so this guide is organized around the broader southwest suburban area rather than limiting the list to only a few individual towns.

Important: Disc golf layouts, basket positions, pars, tee locations, and course conditions can change. Temporary baskets may also be added for tournaments or removed during construction and park events. Check current course conditions before making a longer trip.

Destination Disc Golf Courses in the Southwest Suburbs

Disc Golf at The Canyons at Dellwood Park in Lockport

The Canyons at Dellwood Park is the area's premier destination course and one of the highest-rated disc golf courses in Illinois. The layout runs through a scenic historic park with wooded fairways, steep elevation changes, creeks, rock formations, bridges, and multiple tee and basket combinations.

Park: Dellwood Park
Address: 309 Dell Park Avenue, Lockport, IL 60441
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 27 holes with several playable layouts, multiple tee positions, and alternate basket locations
Course Style: Moderately difficult to difficult, heavily wooded, technical, and hilly
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: Dellwood Disc Golf operates an on-site pro shop with discs, bags, accessories, and course information. Restrooms, drinking water, and walking paths are also available within the park.

Disc Golf at The Oaks in Mokena

The Oaks is a championship-rated course spread across rolling, partially wooded terrain. It combines tight wooded lines with more open fairways, and the tall grass separating portions of the course can add another level of difficulty.

Park: The Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center property
Address: 10847 West La Porte Road, Mokena, IL 60448
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 27-hole championship course, official course par 105, with multiple tee positions and alternate baskets on several holes
Course Style: Moderate to challenging, with wooded fairways, open holes, rolling terrain, and varied shot shapes
Access: Free, public course, open dawn to dusk
Notable Features: The recreation facility carries a small selection of discs, and local disc golf organizations occasionally operate pop-up sales. The course may close for tournaments and certain park district events.

Disc Golf at Highland Park in Joliet

Highland Park provides one of the most varied rounds in the Joliet area. The course mixes wooded tunnels, open drives, elevation changes, ravines, and several more technical shots without being as intimidating as some championship-level layouts.

Park: Highland Park
Address: Highland Park Drive near East Cass Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 18 holes
Course Style: Moderate, with wooded tunnels, open fairways, elevation changes, and ravine shots
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: The front and back nine return near the parking area, making it possible to play a shorter round when time is limited.

Disc Golf at West Park in Joliet

West Park is historically important to the regional disc golf community. Established in 1979, it is recognized as the oldest continuously playable disc golf course in Illinois and helped establish the sport in northern Illinois.

Park: West Park, Ferris Park, and Hudak Grove
Address: West Park near Kinsey Avenue and Midland Avenue, Joliet, IL 60436
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 18-hole primary layout, with tournament configurations that may use additional holes
Course Style: Beginner-friendly to moderate park course with mature trees and a mix of technical and open shots
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: West Park combines an active modern course with a direct connection to the early history of disc golf in the Joliet area.

Disc Golf at Frank Grimes Disc Golf Course in Channahon

Frank Grimes Disc Golf Course is one of the original established courses in the Joliet-area disc golf community. The maintained park layout provides separate tee options that allow players to adjust the challenge level.

Park: Ronald D. Lehman Community Park
Address: 23304 West McClintock Road, Channahon, IL 60410
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 18 holes, commonly played as par 54, with white and blue tee options
Course Style: Moderate to difficult, with a maintained park layout and several levels of challenge
Access: Free, public course, open dawn to dusk when weather permits
Notable Features: The course hosts leagues and tournaments and uses modern Mach VII baskets installed with support from the local disc golf community.

Disc Golf at Shorewood Park in Shorewood

Shorewood Park offers a full 18-hole round in a wooded public park. It is generally more approachable than the area's toughest courses, making it a practical option for beginners, families, and casual players.

Park: Shorewood Park
Address: 25520 West Seil Road, Shorewood, IL 60404
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 18 holes
Course Style: Easy to moderate, with wooded parkland and a family-friendly layout
Access: Free, public course, open dawn to dusk
Notable Features: The established layout regularly hosts local leagues and tournaments while remaining approachable for newer players.

Disc Golf at Heritage Park in Homer Glen

Heritage Park provides a spacious suburban layout with long fairways, scattered trees, and water coming into play on several holes. The course is less heavily wooded than Dellwood or The Oaks, but its length and open conditions can still create challenges.

Park: Heritage Park
Address: 14240 West 151st Street, Homer Glen, IL 60491
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: Approximately 20 playable holes, with several available layouts
Course Style: Moderate, mostly open, with long fairways, strategically placed trees, and water hazards on several holes
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: The course is located in a large multi-use park, so players should remain aware of walkers and other park users.

Disc Golf at The Meadows DiscGolf Park in Tinley Park

The Meadows is a full-length course laid out across Siemsen Meadows. It offers more open space than many local wooded courses, with longer fairways, defined rough, and a substantial walk across the property.

Park: Siemsen Meadows
Address: Siemsen Meadows near 167th Street and 80th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 18 holes, commonly listed as par 56
Course Style: Moderate, mostly open, with longer fairways, rough, and fewer heavily wooded holes
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: The course covers a large amount of ground, so players should expect more walking than at a compact neighborhood course.

Shorter Local Disc Golf Courses

Disc Golf at Indian Boundary South Park in Frankfort Square

Indian Boundary South Park is a short neighborhood course that works well for casual rounds, practice, and newer players. It is not a destination course on the level of Dellwood or The Oaks, but it is a convenient local option for Frankfort Square residents.

Park: Indian Boundary South Park
Address: Indian Boundary South Park, Frankfort, IL 60423
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 9 holes, commonly listed as par 32
Course Style: Easy to moderate neighborhood layout suited to practice and quicker rounds
Access: Free, public course

Disc Golf at Commissioners Park in Frankfort

Commissioners Park has a compact 9-hole layout within one of Frankfort's larger community parks. It is best suited to practice, beginners, or players looking for a quick round close to home.

Park: Commissioners Park
Address: 22108 South 80th Avenue, Frankfort, IL 60423
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 9 holes
Course Style: Easy, compact, and practice-friendly
Access: Free, public course

Disc Golf at Doogan Park in Orland Park

Doogan Park offers a short neighborhood layout that is generally considered one of the better 9-hole options in the area. It is useful for beginners, casual play, or a faster round.

Park: Doogan Park
Address: Doogan Park, Orland Park, IL 60462
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 9 holes under normal course conditions
Course Style: Easy to moderate neighborhood course
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: Construction or other park activity may occasionally affect an individual hole, so current conditions should be checked before visiting.

Disc Golf at Palos Heights Community Park

The Palos Heights course combines open parkland with several tree-lined shots. It is a practical beginner or intermediate option, although the course shares space with baseball fields and other recreational uses.

Park: Community Park
Address: 7800 West College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Holes and Layout: 9 holes
Course Style: Easy, with a combination of open and tree-lined shots
Access: Free, public course
Notable Features: Baseball games and other park activity can interfere with portions of the layout, so players should avoid throwing when shared areas are occupied.

Special-Event Disc Golf at the Old Joliet Prison

The Old Joliet Prison has hosted an 18-hole temporary course for the annual Inparcerated disc golf tournament. This is not a permanent public course and should not be treated as an everyday place to play. Access is limited to scheduled events, and tournament registration and entry fees are required.

Location: Old Joliet Prison, 1125 Collins Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Course Availability: Temporary special-event layout only
Typical Event Layout: 18 holes, commonly played as par 54

Other Disc Golf Courses Worth Exploring

Players willing to travel farther into Will County and nearby communities can also find courses in Wilmington, Braidwood, Minooka, Romeoville, Alsip, and other surrounding towns. Examples include Rival's Lookout Park in Wilmington, Old Smokey in Braidwood, Summit Park in Minooka, Volunteer Park and Lewis University in Romeoville, and the short course in Alsip. These locations may be useful when exploring a different part of the region, but they are outside the main group of southwest suburban destination courses covered in detail above.

Key Takeaways

Best Overall Destination: The Canyons at Dellwood Park in Lockport combines 27 holes, multiple layouts, dramatic terrain, and an on-site disc golf shop.
Another Championship Option: The Oaks in Mokena offers 27 holes across rolling wooded terrain and is one of the area's strongest tournament courses.
Best Joliet Options: Highland Park provides variety and elevation, while West Park combines a playable course with important local disc golf history.
Good Beginner Options: Shorewood Park, Indian Boundary South Park, Commissioners Park, Doogan Park, and Palos Heights Community Park offer more approachable layouts.
Special-Event Course: The Old Joliet Prison course is temporary and available only through scheduled events such as the Inparcerated tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best disc golf course in Chicago's southwest suburbs?

The Canyons at Dellwood Park in Lockport is the area's best-known destination course. It has 27 holes, multiple layouts, wooded fairways, elevation changes, water features, and an on-site disc golf pro shop.

Which southwest suburban disc golf courses have 27 holes?

The Canyons at Dellwood Park in Lockport and The Oaks in Mokena both offer 27-hole layouts.

Where can beginners play disc golf in the southwest suburbs?

Shorewood Park is a full 18-hole course that is relatively approachable. Shorter options include Indian Boundary South Park and Commissioners Park in Frankfort, Doogan Park in Orland Park, and Community Park in Palos Heights.

Is there a disc golf store at any local course?

Dellwood Disc Golf operates an on-site pro shop at The Canyons in Lockport. The Oaks recreation facility in Mokena also carries a smaller selection of discs, and local organizations sometimes operate pop-up sales there.

Can the public play disc golf at the Old Joliet Prison?

Not during normal daily operations. The prison course is a temporary layout used for special events, most notably the Inparcerated tournament. Players must register for the scheduled event to access the course.

Are these disc golf courses free?

The permanent public park courses included in this guide are generally free to play. The temporary course at the Old Joliet Prison requires paid tournament registration.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this local guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Disc golf layouts, pars, basket positions, park access, hours, and current course conditions are subject to change. Please verify current details before visiting. Raymond Kennedy is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois with eXp Realty and is sharing this community resource as a courtesy to southwest suburban residents.