Vermont's Top Mini Golf Spots

Smugglers’ Notch Woodland Mini Golf, Jeffersonville, VT

No summer family vacation to Vermont would be complete without a game (or two) of mini golf. And the woodland mini golf course at Smugglers’ Notch lies outside beneath a canopy of beautiful, old maple trees and adjacent to a babbling mountain brook. Rounds are free to resort guests, but guests are welcome to play for a fee.

Mendon Mini Golf, Mendon, VT

Mendon features a newly designed 18-hole course featuring Vermont themes.  Each hole features one of Vermont’s iconic features: a gold mine, a marble quarry, a swap, etc. Also on site are 55-foot-long batting cages for softball and baseball, a playfield, an open arcade, a covered pavilion, restrooms, and picnic tables. The snack shack there also gets rave reviews, and the burgers are reportedly some of the best around.

Essex Family Fun and Entertainment Center, Essex, VT

The center offers a well-maintained 18-hole mini golf course with lots of water features, like multiple waterfalls. Also, there is a large driving range with clubs that you can use free of charge and a batting cage that offers variable speed baseball and softball batting practice. Plus, don’t miss out on the snack stand with ice cream bars, candy, and drinks.

Stowe Golf Park, Stowe, VT

The Stowe Golf Park consists of an 18-hole putting course and mini-kiosk in a well maintained and landscaped garden environment. Professionally designed to simulate an official PGA level golf experience, challenging putting can be enjoyed by all members of the family. While “reading” the course, avoid natural obstacles, fairway hazards, sand traps, rough grass, trees, and more.

Sugar Ridge Campground and Mini Golf, Danville, VT

Located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, the Sugar Ridge course features undulating elevations and plenty of water features, and the course offers a fun, clean golfing experience. The course is in good condition and open to the public and campers alike, with intensely beautiful Vermont views with quintessential rolling hills and breathtaking vistas.

Champ's Trading Post and Extreme Mini Golf, Addison, VT

Putt around corners and over rocks on this frustrating and challenging course. Featuring nine holes on Rt. 17 next to DAR State Park, the Extreme Mini Golf Course is fun and scenic along a course with rolls and dips, uphills and downhills, twists and turns, and plenty of natural obstacles! Lush gardens line many of the holes and make this course a summertime favorite.

Lots-O-Balls Mini Golf, Duxbury, VT

This 18-hole course is located high in the rolling Vermont hills. Featuring undulating greens, twists and turns, blind corners, and natural and man-made obstacles along a brick-lined course, Lots-O-Balls is Championship-rated. You will also find ice cream, gelato, and sorbet at the on-site snack shack.

Otter Creek Fun Center, Danby, VT

Come and play at this state-of-the-art 18-hole golf course, featuring cascading waterfalls and shooting fountains. You will also find an arcade with redemption games to win prizes as well as an on-site snack bar. Plus, check out the double-castle bouncy house and the Breakfast Buffet every Sunday.

Key Insights at a Glance

• Mini golf hit its peak in America during the 1920s, with courses in virtually every town.
• The Great Depression led to many courses being demolished or abandoned.
• There has been a slow resurgence of mini golf facilities across the country.
• Top mini golf courses in Vermont include Smugglers’ Notch, Mendon, Essex, Stowe, Sugar Ridge, Champ's Trading Post, Lots-O-Balls, and Otter Creek Fun Center.
• Each course offers unique features such as themed holes, water features, batting cages, and snack stands.