Play a Round at this Ghost Town Disc Golf Course in Colorado

During the mid-1800s, the gold rush brought thousands of miners to the Rocky Mountain region, eager to find riches in Colorado's mountains. Like many of Colorado's ghost towns, Russell Gulch was once a bustling settlement full of miners and their families. The town was founded in 1859 by a prospector named William Greeneberry Russell after gold was discovered in nearby Idaho Springs.

In 1860, Russell Gulch had a peak population of approximately 2,600 people. During this era, the town had a school, a church, general stores, an Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge, and numerous mills.

Gold in that area began to dry up about five years after Russell Gulch was established. However, mining operations continued for the next 20 years after that, and Russell Gulch remained a strong economic force in the region.

Despite the mine continuing to operate, the population in Russell Gulch started to dwindle. Census records show that the population remained between 500 and 728 from 1880 to 1910. But by 1930, the town was down to just 75 residents. The post office finally closed in 1943 and several years later, it became an abandoned ghost town, with just a handful of people still living there.

Besides a couple of dilapidated barns and buildings, the brick schoolhouse and IOOF Hall are both still standing. The lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1999, one of Russell Gulch's remaining residents, Brian O’Donnell, purchased several pieces of property and put in a few disc golf targets for his personal use. In 2003, he built a complete 19-hole course and opened it to the public.

At an altitude of 9,150 feet, the front half of this unique course sprawls over steep terrain, dotted with vintage relics, pine and aspen trees, and rusted-out vehicles. The back half opens out to a broad gulch where play can navigate some of the still-standing ruins of the ghost town. There are some marshy areas between holes 9 and 13. Bounded on nearly all sides by mining claims, frisbees can easily go out of bounds, into a vacant building, or onto someone else’s property, which adds an extra challenge during play.

The creative course has a 4.11 out of 5 rating. Guests appreciate the Wild West vibe and say the course is full of character. Other reviews from previous players note that it's very well-kept and the baskets are all in great shape. Tee signs are present at every hole, with basic information like hole number and distance. A bathroom is conveniently next to the parking lot and most of the holes have benches by them.

Reservations must be made before playing the Ghost Town course in Gilpin County. Bookings can be made by contacting the property owners, Beth or Brian O’Donnell at 303-582-3083. The cost is $10 per person to play. To keep players spread out, there are only two tee times per hour. The course takes an average of about three hours to complete. Dogs are not allowed at this Central City destination.

Find it at 190 Russell Gulch Road in Central City. From I-70: Take the Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway exit #243. Go seven miles to Lake Gulch Road. Exit Parkway and turn left on Lake Gulch Road. Go 0.3 miles to Virginia Canyon Road, turn left, and go 1.5 miles to Russell Gulch Road. Turn left and the Ghost Town Course is situated another 0.5 mile on the right.