A.K. Fraley Park Disc Golf Course in Big Stone Gap, VA

Basic Information

Course Location: A.K. Fraley Park

Geographic Location: Big Stone Gap, VA (36.86661, -82.76686)

Date Visited: April 2026

Number of Holes: 9

Course Length: 1927 feet, par 27

Cost to Play: free
Difficulty Level: recreational, low

Carts: should have no problems

Beginner Friendly? yes

Potential to Lose Discs: low, except for very errant throws into the creek

Park Information: https://bigstonegap.com/parks-trails/a-k-fraley-park/

DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/big-stone-gap-dgc.9434

UDisc Page: https://udisc.com/courses/a-k-fraley-park-duck-park-AoEp

Course Walkabout Video: (coming April 9, 2027)

Driving Directions: From downtown Big Stone Gap, drive Wood Avenue east 2 blocks to Spring Street and turn right on Spring St.  Drive Spring St. southeast 0.4 miles to the perpendicular parking lot for the park on the right.  Park here.  #1 tee is at the east end of the parking lot.

Course Constructions:

Tees: concrete, 1 per hole although a few holes have 2

Baskets: Veteran, 1 per hole, although a few holes have 2

Signage: hole sign on each tee

Amenities: port-o-let, a few benches, trash can, paved walking trail

Summary Review: 2 Stars (out of 5)

There are 2 courses in Big Stone Gap, Virginia: a difficult heavily wooded 18 hole course called The Ridge and the short, flat, mostly open 9 hole course at A.K. Fraley Park, which is also known locally as "Duck Park" due to a duck crossing road sign near #8 tee.  The Ridge was hard to play due to poor maintenance when I came to this area, so I went to A.K. Fraley Park.  The park has a beautiful stream-side location, and it consists of just a smattering of trees in a mowed-grass area.  The course has no elevation of note, and all holes but 1 measure less than 300 feet.  I thought about ranking the difficulty of this course as "beginner," but the 307 and 282 foot holes together with a couple of somewhat tight lines caused me to bump it up to "recreational, low."  That said, this course is very beginner friendly.  The tees and baskets are better than you would expect for a 9 hole local park course.  A paved walking trail would be a safety hazard, but nobody was using that trail when I came here on a pleasant Monday afternoon in late April.  There was one other group playing the course.  The course maintenance was fine, but I did see quite a bit of trash laying around the course.  I had no trouble following the course route.  If you are driving through Big Stone Gap, this course is a nice place to stop, stretch your legs, and practice your putting, and this course is fine for what it is.  Beginners will enjoy this half-round, but skilled and experienced players will leave unchallenged and unsatisfied.

Hole-by-Hole Review 

Distances taken from hole signs.  Picture sequence for each hole is 1) tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.

Hole #1: 157 feet, par 3

Comments: Short, straight, and open, this is a good hole for trying to make an ace.  #2 tee is to the right.

Hole #2: 192 feet, par 3

Comments: same as hole #1 but longer and playing the opposite direction.  The basket is located atop a stump, which is either a gimmick or good hole design that makes putting more challenging, depending on your point of view.  #3 tee is to the left and about halfway back to #2 tee.

Hole #3: 307 feet, par 3

Comments: a couple of trees guard the right side of the fairway.  Also, the creek is only a few feet beyond the basket, so don't miss long.  This is the only hole where your disc may find the creek even with a decent throw.  #4 tee is to the right, near the middle of the park.

Hole #4: 178 feet, par 3

Comments: The closest tree yet guards the right side of the fairway, plus the basket is directly underneath another tree.  A left-to-right tee shot that finishes just short and right of the basket leaves the easiest birdie putt.  #5 tee is behind the basket, near the treeline.

Hole #5: 282 feet, par 3

Comments: A single tree guards the left side of the fairway, while 2 trees guard the right side.  The fairway between those trees is plenty wide to accept a good throw.  The creek could come into play if you miss way left.  #6 tee is to the right, near the church.

Hole #6: 220 feet, par 3

Comments: A pair of trees stands directly between the tee and the basket and only about 25 feet in front of the basket.  There is room to go around those trees on either side; I chose to go right and it worked fine.  #7 tee is to the left.

Hole #7: 189 feet, par 3

Comments: The first 50 feet is the tightest line on this course, but after that this hole opens up nicely with only a couple of trees guarding the right side of the basket.  Keep your disc flying straight at first!  #8 tee is to the right, beside the road.

Hole #8: 171 feet, par 3

Comments: The gap between the trees about 50 feet in front of the tee will only be a problem for beginners, and this is a mostly open hole with a single tree guarding the long/right corner of the basket.  #9 tee is to the right, behind #7 tee.

Hole #9: 231 feet, par 3

Comments: You will need a low right-to-left throw to get around the tree and under the limbs.  #8 basket is a little too close for comfort on the left, but this is a seldom-used course plus you just played that basket.  The parking lot is behind the basket.