Aztec’s new 18-basket disc golf course offers free year-round play

Aztec’s newest disc golf course gives San Juan County a rare combination: a free outdoor activity that is open year-round and built to challenge serious players without shutting out newcomers. Set east of Tiger Lake, the 18-basket course adds another reason to spend time in Aztec, whether the goal is a casual first round or a tougher test on longer holes.

A course built with more than beginners in mind

The City of Aztec describes the course as the newest 18-basket disc golf course in San Juan County, and its layout reflects that ambition. It was designed by the San Juan Basin Disc Golf Club with the pro player in mind, which helps explain why the course includes long Par 4s alongside numerous Par 3s. That mix gives the course enough length and variety to reward experienced throwers while still keeping the round approachable for someone learning the game.

The public is invited to try it, and that matters because the course is not presented as a private club setup or an elite tournament-only venue. It is a city recreation asset that is meant to be used, explored, and revisited. In practical terms, that means first-timers can step onto the same course as more advanced players and still find a place to start.

What first-time players should look for

The most useful feature for a new player is the way the course includes intermediate and beginner tee boxes that have been framed and laid out for easier use. That design choice is important in disc golf, where long throwing distance can otherwise decide too much of the game. Here, players who do not have a long throwing arm can still get a full round in and see the course the way it was intended.

If you are playing for the first time, the course’s structure gives you room to learn without getting lost in a layout that is only built for power. The Par 3 holes offer shorter, cleaner opportunities to work on control, while the Par 4s introduce the kind of planning that makes disc golf distinct from a simple throw-and-retrieve game. The setup makes the course useful both as a first introduction and as a regular practice spot.

Free, open year-round, and easy to fit into local life

The biggest practical draw is cost. The course is free and open year-round, which gives families, visiting relatives, casual players, and regular disc golfers a low-barrier option in a county where outdoor recreation often depends on weather, distance, and how much a day out costs. A no-fee course also makes repeat visits realistic, especially for people looking for an activity that does not require a membership or a ticket.

Year-round access also broadens the course’s value beyond a single season. In a place like San Juan County, where people often look for recreation that fits both busy schedules and changing conditions, a free course that stays available through the year becomes more than a novelty. It becomes part of the everyday outdoor landscape.

How it fits into Aztec’s growing recreation network

The disc golf course is not the only sign that Aztec is building out its recreation options. The city is also expanding a smaller disc putting course at Riverside Park into a full 9-hole course. That move shows a deliberate pattern: instead of relying on one headline amenity, Aztec is adding layers to its outdoor offerings so different players can find a version of the sport that fits their experience level.

That broader approach lines up with the city’s larger parks profile. Aztec says it has seven city parks, and it recently added the disc golf course and upgraded Mountain View Trails. Taken together, those pieces point to a city investing in simple, affordable outdoor use rather than one-off attractions. The result is a recreation network that gives residents more than one place to walk, play, or spend time outside.

Why this course matters for San Juan County

For San Juan County, the course’s value is plain: it creates an immediate reason to go to Aztec without spending much, if anything. Families get a free outing, visitors get a local stop tied to a specific place rather than a generic outdoor trend, and players who already know disc golf get a course with real challenge built into it. The location east of Tiger Lake makes it easy to connect with other time in town, while the city’s expanding park system gives the course added context.

That combination of free access, a pro-minded design, beginner-friendly tee boxes, and year-round availability is what sets the course apart. Aztec is not just adding a recreational feature; it is widening the list of affordable things people can do close to home, and that kind of investment tends to matter most in everyday life.