What is Santa Cruz River Park like?
Santa Cruz River Park sits in Tucson, one of 6 courses in the city and 77 across Arizona. It plays 18 holes, par 54, across 4,572 ft — an average of about 254 feet a hole. That is a comfortable middle distance where fairway drivers do most of the work.
The terrain is desert/open — open desert terrain, which puts the emphasis on distance with unforgiving rough. There is little to stop a disc once it lands, and the rough is genuinely rough, so accuracy is worth more than the open fairways suggest.
ThrowSpot rates the course moderately demanding overall, making it players who have their form mostly sorted. Expect a genuine test without being punished for every miss. This is the level most recreational players score best on. Most groups finish in about 110 minutes, though a busy weekend morning can add half an hour of waiting on the tee.
What discs should you bring to Santa Cruz River Park?
For a course like this, a full bag, including distance drivers and something overstable for wind covers the majority of shots. Open ground means wind is the real hazard. An overstable disc you trust into a headwind is worth more here than an extra ten feet of distance.
If you are not sure what matches your arm speed, the disc selector converts your throwing distance into a speed ceiling and specific mold recommendations. Because the fairways are open here, it is also worth checking the wind calculator before you play on a breezy day.
Cost and access
Santa Cruz River Park charges $5 to play. Pay-to-play courses are the minority in disc golf, and the fee usually reflects better maintenance, dedicated staff, or private land. Check the course signage or the local club for how payment is collected. Most park courses are open dawn to dusk; hours can change seasonally, so it is worth checking locally before a very early or late round.
Amenities at Santa Cruz River Park
Amenity information comes from PDGA course records and may not reflect recent changes. If something here is out of date, the local club is usually the fastest way to confirm.
Getting to Santa Cruz River Park
Tucson, AZ — free parking is listed for this course.
Other disc golf courses near Santa Cruz River Park
More disc golf in Tucson
Tucson has 6 PDGA-listed courses. Others worth a round:
| Course | Holes | Difficulty | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanchard Disc Golf Course | 18 | Intermediate | Free |
| Rillito River Park Disc Golf Course | 18 | Beginner | $5 |
| Groves Park | 9 | Intermediate | Free |
| Sears Park | 9 | Beginner | Free |
| Sam Lena Park | 6 | Beginner | Free |
Frequently asked questions
How many holes is Santa Cruz River Park?
Santa Cruz River Park has 18 holes with a total par of 54. The course measures 4,572 ft, averaging about 254 feet per hole.
Is Santa Cruz River Park free to play?
No. Santa Cruz River Park charges $5 to play. Check course signage or the local club for how the fee is collected.
Is Santa Cruz River Park good for beginners?
It is rated intermediate difficulty, so newer players should expect a challenging round. Expect a genuine test without being punished for every miss. This is the level most recreational players score best on.
How long does it take to play Santa Cruz River Park?
About 110 minutes for a typical group on 18 holes. Solo players move faster; busy weekend mornings can add 20 to 30 minutes of waiting.
Where is Santa Cruz River Park located?
Santa Cruz River Park is in Tucson, Arizona, at coordinates 32.24920, -110.99670. Directions are linked on this page.
What discs should I bring to Santa Cruz River Park?
For this layout, a full bag, including distance drivers and something overstable for wind covers most shots. Open ground means wind is the real hazard. An overstable disc you trust into a headwind is worth more here than an extra ten feet of distance.