Milo McIver is where I learned to actually play disc golf. Not just throw discs \u2014 play. Read lines, manage risk, recover from mistakes, handle pressure. I’ve had my best rounds there and my most humiliating disasters. It’s the course that dropped my rating from 941 to where it is now after a tournament I’d rather not discuss in detail. It’s my home course and also the place where I’ve left the most discs in hazards.
I’ve probably played Milo 200+ times over the years. Definitely more than any other course. And I still find ways to screw up holes I know intimately. The course doesn’t get easier just because you know it \u2014 it just shows you new ways to fail.
Anyway. Here’s everything you need to know about Milo, from someone who’s been hurt by it repeatedly.
The Basics
Milo McIver State Park is in Estacada, Oregon, about 35 minutes from Portland depending on traffic. It’s a state park, so you pay a $5 day-use fee at the entrance. No additional fee for disc golf. Annual state parks pass also works if you have one.
There are two 18-hole courses: East and West. East is the “pro” layout \u2014 longer, tighter, used for tournaments. West is slightly more forgiving with some shorter holes. Both are good. I play East more often because I’m a glutton for punishment.
Facilities: bathrooms at the parking lot and one near the turn between hole 9 and 10. No pro shop on site but parking is adequate. Gets crowded on nice weekends, especially summer mornings.
What Makes It Special
Milo is consistently rated as one of the best courses in Oregon and it deserves it. The layout uses the terrain beautifully \u2014 elevation changes, tree lines, creek crossings. It’s not a bomber course where distance wins; it rewards accuracy, shot shaping, and smart play. You can’t just grip-and-rip your way around.
The conditioning is usually excellent. Tee pads are solid, baskets are maintained, signage is clear. Credit to the local club that does the maintenance. The course plays fair \u2014 when you get a bad outcome, it’s usually because you made a bad shot, not because of some random obstacle you couldn’t see.
Selected Holes (East Course)
I’m not going to break down all 18 holes because that would take forever and honestly some holes are just “throw it straight, take your par.” But here are the ones that matter.
Hole 5: The Water Hole (My Nemesis)
About 480 feet, par 4. Pond guards the right side from about 300 feet to the green. The smart play is a straight drive up the left, leaving a long approach over the water corner to the basket.
I’ve lost more discs to this hole than any other at Milo. The temptation to cut the corner, to throw a hyzer that skirts the water, to go for eagle instead of birdie \u2014 it’s always there. And sometimes I give in. And sometimes I find the pond.
Play it safe. Two controlled shots to the green. You’re looking at birdie from 80 feet way more often than you’re getting eagle by trying to carry the water. I know this and I still mess it up occasionally.
Hole 7: The One That Ruined My Rating
About 400 feet, par 3. Downhill with a sharp dogleg left and OB along the left edge. The landing zone is small and anything long or left is trouble.
During the tournament I’m trying not to think about, I landed this tee shot in circle one. Should’ve been a birdie. I proceeded to 4-putt. Yes, four putts from inside circle. In a tournament. While people watched. The memory is seared into my brain.
Anyway. The hole itself is great. You want something overstable that’ll hook around the corner and land soft. The green is elevated and kicks toward OB if you land too hot. Control is everything here.
Hole 11: The Tunnel
About 280 feet, par 3. Dead straight through a narrow corridor of trees. Miss by a foot in any direction and you’re hitting bark.
This hole rewards nothing but a clean, straight shot. No distance needed, no shot shaping, just execution. Buzzz all day. Maybe a Mako3 if you trust yours. Throw at like 75% power with perfect form and watch it glide through.
When I’m throwing well, this hole is an easy par. When I’m not, I find first available tree and spend two more shots getting back to the fairway. There’s no trick, you just have to execute.
Hole 16: The Bomber Hole
About 570 feet, par 4. This is where you can let it fly. Downhill tee shot, fairly open except for OB down the right side. If you have distance, this is your chance to use it.
For most people: aim left-center, throw your best driver, see what happens. A good drive sets up a birdie look with a fairway driver or long approach. A great drive gets you to eagle range. A bad drive finds the OB right and suddenly you’re scrambling for par.
I’ve thrown my best drives ever on this hole. Also some of my worst.
Course Management at Milo
The biggest lesson Milo teaches is risk management. Almost every hole has a tempting aggressive line and a safer conservative line. The aggressive line looks makeable. It works sometimes. But the conservative line produces better scores over 18 holes because it avoids disasters.
I’m not great at taking my own advice here \u2014 see hole 5 discussion above \u2014 but when I DO play smart at Milo, my scores are noticeably better. The course rewards patience.
Conditions
Milo plays very differently depending on weather.
Dry summer: fast greens, firm ground, discs skip and roll. Approach shots need touch. Drives can get extra distance from firm fairways.
Wet winter: mud everywhere. Like, everywhere. Wear shoes you don’t care about. Discs stick where they land. Tee pads can be slippery so shorten your run-ups.
Fall: leaves. Disc-swallowing leaves. You will lose sight of shots. Throw bright colors. Bring a spotter if playing with friends.
The walk between holes 9 and 10 gets particularly swampy after rain. Budget extra time when it’s wet because your pace will be slower.
What to Bring
My Milo bag prioritizes midranges and fairway drivers over distance drivers. This isn’t a bombing course \u2014 accuracy matters more. If I’m playing well, I’m throwing my Buzzz or Teebird on most holes, pulling out a distance driver maybe 3-4 times per round.
Bug spray in summer. Water because you’re walking 4+ miles. Towel year-round but especially when wet.
Getting There
From Portland: I-84 East to 205 South, then OR-212 East toward Estacada. The park is well-signed. Give yourself 35-45 minutes depending on traffic. The drive is pretty once you get past the suburbs \u2014 the Clackamas River gorge is genuinely beautiful.
$5 day use fee payable at an iron ranger (cash or check) or use an annual state parks pass.
Final Thoughts
Milo has beaten me up more times than I can count. I’ve left discs there. I’ve 4-putted there. I’ve made decisions I immediately regretted on multiple holes. But I keep going back because it’s legitimately great \u2014 challenging, beautiful, fair. The kind of course that makes you better if you let it.
If you’re in the Portland area and you haven’t played Milo, go. If you’re traveling through and want to play a destination course, Milo is worth the drive. Just don’t blame me when hole 5 takes a disc from you. It happens to all of us.