Dabney State Park is home to a mostly wooded 18 holes course with some moderate elevation in play, mainly on the front nine of the course. Beautiful northwest forest surrounds you on the latter holes with a pretty extreme drop off on the left side of the last four holes.

Concrete tee pads on every hole. These are all in great shape and grip nicely. They seemed to be a couple different sizes of these though all were pretty similar so not a big deal. One tee pad per hole.

The baskets are older looking white Dynamic Veterans. All are good shape and catch fine. The white is starting to get a little scuffed up but still plenty visible in the shadows of the woods. There appears to by three pin positions on every hole. If not every one, then most of them. Love to see this.

There's a decent mix of shot shapes out there. I'd say it slightly favors a RHBH, but not by much unless you can shape a solid BH hyzerflip or anny accurately too. It will be tough if you can't.

Just a gorgeous looking area. This was my first course in Oregon and this type of course was exactly why I wanted to visit here. It didn't disappoint in the slightest. It feels like a different world compared to the trees and brush in the midwest.

Basic tee signs on each hole. Map, hole #, par and distances listed. Very simple but have the basic info on them. The best part about them, honestly, is the fact that they're white like the baskets which is probably the best contrasting color out here. Very easy to located the next tee from a distance with these.

Navigation is very straightforward once you find the first tee. Not much for long walks between holes.

My number one con here is that there's numerous fairways that play practically on top of each other, especially on the back half. This is an extremely dangerous design if the course was busy at all. One of the tightest packed groupings of holes I've seen in quite awhile. Luckily there were only a couple other groups out when we played and we only ran into one of them.

Very real chance to lose a disc out here. The rough is nearly impenetrable in spots. We ended up staying fairly clean off the tee today but still ended up finding two discs just a couple feet off the fairway. Not to mention the little cliffside off the left side of the last few holes. I'm very glad we didn't end up down there.

The tee signs aren't very helpful with the three different pin placements per hole. They just show one position on the sign with no way to tell what position the basket is in without walking halfway up the fairway on some holes.

The course plays on the shorter side so you won't really get to air out any long drives. There was only one hole over 400' from what I recall. Not a con for me but will be for some.

This was my first taste of Pacific Northwest disc golf and it made a great impression. Definitely worth playing if you find yourself nearby. I haven't played any of the other highly regarded ones around here yet but regardless, this one is very good.

-Always enjoy the layout of this course. Plenty of challenge without too much unnecessary risk.
-Good length without requiring a monster arm usually.
-Lovely State Park setting

-Holes 1 -3 can be a bit technical and hazardous for the short drives.
-Can get very busy.
-Mud can be an issue during wet climes.
-Some crossing route in open field.

I love this course. It is not unblemished, but it has always given me a good time.

Very pretty course in a scenic location. Alot of challenging shots and almost everyone one of the holes was different. The open holes were some of my favorites as well as the last 8 holes. Good facilities and baskets were good. Teepads nice and benches on most tees.

Very challenging and if you're not really good you might lose a disc. We put a disc in the brambles and while looking for it found three other discs. Even in August there was mud on many of the holes and was kind of annoying. There was some very tight shots on some of the tees and even for vets hitting trees is a possibility. Only two or three holes you could really open up and let it fly with no risk of losing a disc.

The last 8 or so holes were a lot different than the first 10. A very beautiful course that I would reccomend to more experienced players. If you're a beginner you might not have a lot of fun.

Dabney St Park right next to the Sandy River is one of my favorite courses in the Columbia River George. This course offers that esthetically pleasing views and the sounds of nature all around. There are great variety of shots all around. This course moderately hilly as it plays through some woods, as well as some open shots. This course was placed in a great area I think. Kind of reminds me of Riverbend DGC just because of the terrain.

Great Hardware such as teepads and teesigns and baskets. There is a practice basket as well which is always great.

First hole is one of my favs. This hole is a fun shot over the water in the winter.
The rest of the holes. Are played around amazing views and in some woods.
Hole 3 straight over water. This hole reminds me of one of the holes at horning hideouts.

Hole 4 straight to left hole kind of wide open. Hole 5 one of my other favorite holes. Downhill hyzer is the play great bombing shot.

This course plays through open with a few trees on the left and right. That is on the front nine.
On the back side it is wooded. For some parts. On the last holes there is a cliff of to the left.

Mach V or X baskets get the job done I would like to see a little more high quality baskets.

For beginners I would say play the holes you know you can play. Some holes have steep cliffs and other holes have water on them.

I would recommend going here in the summer. In the winter it is muddy wet and standing water. Decently good tee signs. They get the job done I do wish they would be more detailed.

Some of the brush should be cleared but its not too much of a problem. Also it is a state park so you do have to pay to play.

I would recomend a map some baskets are hard to find because they are either blocked by quite a few other trees or etc.

In the woods holes I would say they need to clear some trees. Some of them are right neer the teepad as well as the basket.

If you live out there I would recommend a state parks pass. It makes it easier to mange you way around and you don't have to dig in you wallet for $5. Also the pass comes to other amazing courses such as Milo Mciver Timber and others.

AND I do recommend playing here in the summer.

Overall I like this course I have played here a couple of times. I like the variety of shots that they have. It challenges players from all skill levels.
I would like to see them have a couple more pin locations on each hole though. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area or visiting IN the summer.

-Baskets are great, Mach V, a couple seem to have fallen apart, but have been put together in a more Mach X style, but without the inner chains, doesn't really matter, they catch great. They are also bright yellow, so they stand out against the forest.
-Elevation is a great part of this course, holes play over little ravines, (hole 3 even played down a hill and over a pond) some play up hills, some play down, some play on the side, some have death putts. There was one hole, hole 11 if I remember correctly that had the basket in the edge of a steep hill that dropped like 30 feet down, just plain craziness.
-This is a wooded course, the trees shape holes to be either pretty typical (not necessarily a bad thing) or completely unlike anything else. This course has a huge variety of shots, on many holes I didn't really know what to throw, I had to get really creative on a lot of shots.
-Navigation is easy out here, the only big walk is between holes 11 and 12, and then from 18 to the parking lot. Very intuitive flow.
-Water is used well on this course. I wouldn't say it is a defining feature, nor does it come into play on every hole, but when it comes into play, it is formidable. And that is awesome
-Very pretty setting, one of those places that you feel lucky to play disc golf in
-No garbage laying around

-This course was pretty darn muddy, at least for the first nine holes, as a result of this, the tee pads got super nasty, mud flowed over them, which led to a bit of a traction problem.
-This course is pretty typical for state park courses, it had rough brush on either side of the fairway, which can gobble up discs like crazy
-This course doesn't allow dogs, which is super unfortunate. I'm sure there is a good reason, but it is too bad that my dogs couldn't play with me.
-The walk back to the parking lot is massive, holes 18 and 1, end and start respectively, very far apart from each other.
-Tee signs show different basket locations, but have no indication of which one is in play, this isn't a huge deal on most holes, but there are definitely some confusing holes, where I took a bogey because I threw a mid and not a driver, or vice versa.
-One tee pad on the back nine was totally jacked up from a tree falling on it (I assume) super hazardous, and no other place to throw from

This is a great course, pretty well worth the parking fee, if you can, try and play this course while it is dry, really the only bad thing is the mud

-very good elevation change
-great mix of left and right holes
-lots of different shot variety
-good mix of open and wooded holes
-nice long cement tee pads
-pretty easy navigation
- lots of apples trees and apples to eat while playing
-hole 5 is just crazy not sure if pro or con
-multiple pin locations

-needs new tee signs only 3 older looking ones left, and since then multiple pin locations have been put in
-the rough in summer gets a little overgrown a couple holes spotters isn't a bad idea to have
-some of the pin locations are pretty difficult with no true shot from the pad to pin
- most holes you will need to walk up to see or find the basket

It's a very great course maybe not too notch but worth the drive and play

Fun layout with variations of wooded and open holes, long and short.

If you don't make the fairway on every shot you will meet some hazards. From ravines to nettles and ferns. Spotter almost mando. Some areas are naturally mucky even in summer.

Not a good place to go alone. If your line does not stick to the fairway there is a good chance you will lose your disc.

- Very beautiful state park, top notch location for disc golf.
- Pretty solid layout, felt like a good balance of hyzers, anhyzers, and straight shots. Is mostly open for the first half or so, then is wooded for the ending.
- Remote place, so there weren't many people out there. The course is far enough from a larger town, that I can't imagine it ever being overrun with people.
- A lot of birdie chances. I'm a pretty average player, and I shot -2, which is nice to be able to shoot really well for my first time to play it.

- The course map that is uploaded on this site needs updating. A new #1 one was added and #18 was removed, so all the holes on the map are 1 lower than they should. The signs at the park are updated, but I still had to use the map a few times.
- Like most people said, the grass can be really high if you get off the fairway. I threw my drive too far left on #5, and lost it in a field of tall grass. It was a poor drive, but it shouldn't have resulted in a lost disc.
- #8 tee sign showed a straight shot, but the hole was off to the left. If the basket was where the sign said it should be, it would be right next to the next tee box, so it was probably moved to avoid hitting someone (which is understandable).

- I wouldn't put the course as the best in the area, but if I have a few days in Portland, I would come and play.
- You can either park at the upper lot right next to #1 and have to walk a bit when you're done, or park in the lower lot and have to walk back up to #1 and be right next to your car when you're done. Your choice.
- Paying for parking was a little weird. There wasn't a machine that you had to pass to get in the park. I had to pull off to the right, get out, and walk to the machine to pay. Not a bad thing, just seems weird to not have pay-to-park machines in the drive-in.

-Very aesthetically pleasing course set in the western end of the Columbia River Gorge near the Sandy River. Huge conifers, rushing streams, and misty air are one of a kind to the Cascade Mountains.
-Super peaceful and serene way out here in the boonies.
-Great variety of holes: water holes, short tree lined holes, longer open holes. The first 11 were more open, whereas the last 7 holes were shorter and played through a tight forested area, offering more technical shots.
-Fun pin locations
-Not too many players when I played on a Saturday morning.
-Signs were present but not that helpful.
-Mach 5's were in good condition.

-Was wet. I played during summer and it was a bit damp. It'll be very nasty and muddy, I'm sure, during wintertime. It is the Gorge, after all.
-On a decent number of holes, including the last four, if you miss the fairway left you'll go down a steep hill. The undergrowth isn't too thick, so you can find your disc, but the problem is managing to make your way down TO it. I slipped way too many times.
-A little far out from civilization. It's not very easily accessed.
-Transitions between holes are tricky if you don't know the place.

-Holes 1 and 3 were long carries, not good for beginners or anyone not OK with losing a disc.
-Very good course to practice shot placement with mid-ranges, but not a good one to try a new driver. There are only a few holes (4, 10 come to mind), where you can throw full power.
-Definitely a course I'd play again.

Beautiful area
Long tee pads

The signs are horrible. Many of the pictures on the signs don't correlate with the actual basket position. For example one hole showed a 298 shot straight up the middle, but the actual basket position was a hzyer shot. Not even close. I noticed this on 3-4 signs. Add to that the 2-4 missing ones and that's almost 1/2 the signs that are actually correct. The distances were off way off on some of the signs too.
[EDIT] went back and they had changed the course, signs now lined up with the layout. Didn't know there was a winter layout, that's the kind of thing that should be posted!!!

I had high hopes for this course with the high course rating on this site. I walked away feeling cheated. They really need to help transition between holes with arrows. Lots of undergrowth, if you miss your line you could easily be spending quite a bit of time searching for your disc. Caution on hole #5 if you go left too far say goodbye to your disc. Knee high growth in a marshy area.
I liked the front 1/2 of the course better than the back. Good variety of shots needed. I liked the over the first hole nice technical anny, 2nd hole was a nice pond throw, although the tee sign was way off for the basket position. Next few holes were ok, then I think it's hole #7 is a tight hzyer which was a great hole and then #8 was my favorite hole a downhill anhyzer with lots of brush if you don't turn it over. I'd rate the front half a 3.5.
The backside had several holes that seemed the same, 250ish foot slight anhyzer shots. Would like to have seen more variety. Back half was nothing special, there were a few holes with some nice technical lines but I'd rate the back half 3. So if there was a 3.25 option that's how I would rate the overall course.
Course isn't long. I used my mids almost as much as my driver for tee shots (I'm not a long driver 325ish on avg). So the course is definitely more about the technical shot over long distance.
When I wrote this review this course was the 9th highest rated course in the entire state. Sorry but NO it's not. If you make a special trip to play this over the other courses in the area you are making a mistake There are better courses close by. If you pick this course over Milo you chose wrong.
If you have played all those other courses and are looking for a new course to check off your list then it is definitely worth playing. It's not a bad course at all, it's just overrated on this site. It's like that movie you hear so much about then you watch it. It's not that it's bad, you actually like but, it's just you just had your hopes artificially set too high by hype.
[EDIT] Played again but my review doesn't change much. Let me be clear, this is a good course. You should play this course. But it's just over hyped on this site.

Dabney is a really pretty state park, and a lot of their land is reserved for a very beautiful and diverse disc golf course.

The holes are widely varied starting out with some shorter technical holes where water and elevation come into play, then mixing in some open park style holes on 4 and 11 with more technical holes mixed in.

There is only one 400+ ft hole, number four, according to the signs. I think some of them are a little longer and a few shorter than listed.

The technicality of the course was very cool. Tons of interesting lines and really cool routes that are up to you to hit.

Basically hit your line and you can be a hero and get the birdie. Miss it and you limp to par, miss it bad and you an end up in the water or down some huge hills.

The signs were easily read, though a few were missing.

The teepds were pretty nice and long. They were also placed well, which I feel is something a lot of people mess up.
The course really is beautiful too, with all the evergreens mixed with orchard like rolling hills.

A few missing signs, a couple spots where you can see two baskets and they are really closer than they should be.
For having a course that takes up half te park there is almost no signage for it as you come in.

It's $5 for your day fee at the park, but I'm not counting that against it. It's pretty well maintained so it's worth it.

Overall it's a darn good albiet a bit short.

And I say it's retro because as you play some courses it seems that the hole was designed with a specific disc in mind.

And this course had me thinking shoot I wish I still bagged a Viper or Stingray. Would be willing to be the designer bagged both of them back in 1998 when it was installed.

If your close you need to play this one.

-Different selection of holes
-beautiful layout
-Pin changes alot
-Inspired hole design
-Huge disc selection needed
-No dogs allowed (sorry I love dogs but not on a chamionship level course)
-Low risk of losing discs
-Cool players
-awesome parking

-Some holes need to be par 4 (hole 4, 5 and 11 & 14) or better yet move pins to a more technical location.
-can get damp so bring water proof shoes if it rains or rained the night before
-Can get crowded during peak times (sunday sat afternoon)
-discs WILL hit trees. trust me.

I average even to -4 on Mciver but this course I have yet to crack even. Its tough! Pin placement has a HUGE impact on your score. I really love this course but some holes are hard to earn a par. daily pass cost unless u buy a year for 30$ totally worth it.

-Plenty of mixture of shots. From wooded to open back to wooded again.
-Baskets are just fine. No issues there.
-Tee pads are great
-Beautiful little state park
-Tee signs are helpful

-The course "flow" was a little off. Make sure you have someone that knows the course with you so you dont have any navigational issues.
-No enough trash cans or benches

Played this in the early spring. Great course. Good mixture of holes. When I was out there my group of 6 were the only ones on the course. Close to other outdoor activities. Well taken care of park.

Every hole plays different...you just don't pull out your main driver at every tee box. Long holes/short holes in trees/right hand benders/left hand benders and plenty of trees to make it technical but not overly hard. Even in the winter is was a good time. Good pads and mostly good signs. (I did download the map from this site and I used it for the first until hole 11, then after that the course is pretty easy to follow.)

Oregon parks are pay to park and it works okay for me. Don't remember any trash cans or bathrooms. Hole signs for a couple holes (4 & 5 I think) are mislabeled. I heard that the course route was changed. Hole #6 for first timers needs a arrow down before the bridge showing that the basket is up and across the bridge. It didn't match the map. Not really major cons.

I liked playing here. It is a decent course and fun.
Update: played course in May 2018...very disappointed. No one is taking care of this course. Long grass, high nettles, holes have changed but not the signs. Park ranges don't even acknowledge you are there when they drive by, no trash cans still...sad, sad, sad.

-Dabney is a wonderful course in a beautiful setting. The holes are fun and challenging and at the same time they're all different. With variety in elevation, hazards, LHBH/RHBH shots, open holes and tight technical holes, this course has it covered.

-The course is almost never crowded, and the course is almost exclusively used by other disc golfers. So you're never waiting for a dog walker or jogger, etc.

-Lots of benches at this course are great if, like me, you don't have a chair.

-With lots of parking, a lost disc return, a practice basket, restrooms, and clean fairways/teeing areas Dabney offers a comfortable and enjoyable disc golf experience.

-The tee signs could use updating. While the course has multiple pins, the signs do not reflect this. This is especially frustrating when playing one of the courses many blind holes.

-The last few holes play next to a large ravine and through the most wooded part of the course. It's easy to get a bad kick and end up in the ravine. This is a rather frustrating way to end your round.

-The Tee for hole #4 is halfway down the fairway for hole #3 so after holing out on #3 you have to walk back down the fairway.

-First timers can easily get lost after hole #11, not realizing where to go for hole #12. This spot needs a 'Next Tee' sign.

Attn: iPhone users - Apple maps won't get you to this course if you just get directions to "Dabney State Park" - It will take you to some random dirt road on the back side of the park (Hocker Rd). Make sure you put in the proper address when getting directions.

Tee Pads, Multiple pin placement, Pin placements are changed weekly , Practice basket, Challenging, -/+ elevation, Clean, Plenty of parking, Restrooms, Trash cans throughout, Benches at all pads, Pavilion w/tables and BBQ, good mix of shot variations RHBH & LHBH, Defined fairways, Great bunch of locals and usually never crowded.

$5 per car or $30 for annual pass. During winter, holes 5-7 are prone to be soggy. No dogs. Some baskets are not visible from the tee can be frustrating for first timers, tee signs are currently not accurate with distances or show all pin locations.

The first time I played this course was three years ago. It had underbrush and berry bushes that were unforgiving. There have been many improvements from the local disc golf community since then and is still making improvements. The course is designed strictly for DG, eliminating any other distractions. It has made my favorite list since the first time and I keep going back for more. The pin placements make this course diversified and challenge all calibers of players. New tee signs are in the making for this course, which will improve my rating for the course once it is done. Oregon has many beautiful courses and this one in my opinion is under rated and under the radar. If you are in the area or coming to the Portland area this is a must.

I like every hole on this course. There's only one that's an open field throw. The rest require some shot shaping, have a good mix of obstacles and are legitimate par 3.

The tees and baskets are all great.

Signage is great. Easy to navigate.

Good facilities bathrooms/trashcans.

No other activities taking place on the course.

Where there is rough it's out of the way. You're not going to spend much time looking for discs unless your throws are crazy (that said- don't end up in the valley on 17-18).

Can get crowded especially on weekend afternoons.

Not a place to take beginners.

This is one of my 3 favorite courses (the others are Milo and Horning's).

It costs $5 to get in or you can get the Northwest Forrest Pass for $30/year. The NWFP gets you into other parks too. Are you going to play Milo/Rooster/Dabney/Others more than 6 times? You should. Get the NWFP.

- Lots of bathroom facilities in the upper and lower parking lots
- Good signage and tee pads are in great shape
- For a par 3 course it is challenging but not daunting
- Good chance to work on all sorts of shots

- Muddy!!!
- Due to the fact that this review was done in the late winter please note that most of the course is on run off so there can be lots of water. Waterproof shoes are recommended.
- Pay $5 for parking rather sucks but you can play this in about 1.5 hours so play it multiple times and get your money worth.

This is a much needed step up of a par 3 course. I really enjoyed playing it even as muddy as it was. Watch the back 9 as there are chances to loose disc's over the hill side and it can be a challenge to retrieve them. Also big shout out to the gentlemen walking the entire course cleaning up trash and making notes about the course on his own time.

Variety! Every shot is different than the last! Only one hole (11 I believe) is a wide open bomb, every other hole has some kind of obstacle to shoot around, over, under, or through!
Great tee pads
Good tee signs, only show 1 placement though.
Very nice flow and setting!

Can be windy
Can be muddy in places

This is what disc golf is all about!

Set in a state park along a windy road, this is a pretty fun course. Nearly every hole has a tee protected by trees somewhere along the way, which isn't unusual, but this course forces you to throw over, under, and around...sometimes on the same hole.

The first half of the course features decent elevation changes and some pretty fun shots. The trees are the leafy variety, and the gaps to the hole felt different than most courses I've played. The second half of the course flattens out but has you throwing among the wide-bodied firs that make so many Oregon courses fun. The lanes are there, but a bad shank will leave you with some awkward approaches.

Holes mostly range from 250 to over 350 feet. The shorter holes are not necessarily ace runs (some are very tough birdies), but there are several aceable holes.

Tee pads are all concrete, and every hole has two positions. There is very little undergrowth in the fir sections, and hole 18 is the only one with much of a chance for a lost disc (if you shank it off the left into the ravine).

The wooden bridges leading over the shallow creeks on the front half provide some nice character.

I think navigation here isn't too bad (I was led around by a friend who lives in the area, so it's tough to say). However, many of the pin positions are not visible from the tee. If it's your first time, you'll spend a good deal of time walking most of the fairway to find the basket. Unfortunately the tee signs aren't helpful since they show only one position.

There are no alternate tees.

There were significantly more shots favoring RHBH players than not.

This is a course best played multiple times. If you have time for more than one round, you'll definitely enjoy your time. If you're in a hurry or only have time for one round, you may get a little frustrated. This is definitely a course I could see playing a lot if I were local, figuring out the best lines and the unique ways to get to the hole.