Best Mini Golf Courses in Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg doesn't do ordinary mini golf. Where else can you ride a mountain railway 300 feet straight up before your first putt, play through a glowing underwater pirate ship, or tee off in a blacklit circus fun house? Mini golf in Gatlinburg is an event, not just a game — and with seven distinct courses within a short walk or drive of each other, you could spend an entire vacation working through them all.

Here's your guide to every course — what makes each one special, who it's best for, and the tips that make your round better. 

Quick Reference: Indoor vs. Outdoor

1. Hillbilly Golf

📍 340 Parkway, Gatlinburg

The most uniquely Gatlinburg mini golf experience available — and one that TripAdvisor reviewers consistently call one of the most memorable mini golf experiences anywhere. Getting there is half the fun: a funicular incline railway carries you 300 feet straight up the mountainside to the courses above. The view from the top makes the ride worth it before you've touched a putter.

At the top, two 18-hole courses wind through pure Appalachian character: farm tractors, covered wagons, moonshine stills, outhouses, and rock walls form the obstacles. One standout hole requires you to use your putter handle like a pool cue to shoot the ball down a gravity-fed Plinko-style ramp — the kind of creative design element that earns the walk up. 

The downhill layout adds an element traditional flat courses don't have: gravity works with you on some shots and entirely against you on others, producing the kind of unpredictable results that generate genuine laughter. 

Best for: All ages; especially memorable for adults and older kids who appreciate the Appalachian theming; couples who want something genuinely offbeat Weather tip: Hillbilly Golf's outdoor courses are exposed on the hillside. Play at opening or after 5 PM in summer — the midday July sun on that incline is genuinely hot. Not recommended during rain. Tip: Closed-toe shoes are practical here — the terrain is more varied than a flat course.  

2. Gatlin's Mini Golf

📍 On the Gatlinburg Parkway | Both indoor and outdoor

Gatlin's is the most comprehensive mini golf destination in Gatlinburg — 45 total holes spread across two outdoor courses and an indoor Blacklight course, all set on a beautifully landscaped hillside with 100-year-old shade trees and native Smoky Mountain plantings.

The Old Mountain Trail course takes you through Smoky Mountains history hole by hole. The Old Town Square course tells the story of Gatlinburg's development at each stop. Both are genuinely scenic — the landscaping alone sets Gatlin's apart from the standard Parkway course aesthetic. 

The indoor Blacklight Golf course adds a glow-in-the-dark "Under the Sea" experience that works in any weather (see full description below as a standalone entry). 

The Unlimited Golf Pass: Gatlin's offers an unlimited golf pass for approximately $21.99, valid for up to 10 days. If you're staying in Gatlinburg for a week, this is exceptional value — come back every evening for a round without paying again. The best repeat-visit deal of any course in the area. 

Best for: Families, repeat visitors, anyone wanting the widest variety of outdoor holes; the 10-day pass makes it particularly valuable for longer stays  

3. Blacklight Golf at Gatlin's

📍 Part of Gatlin's Mini Golf complex | Indoor | Climate-controlled

The indoor, climate-controlled portion of the Gatlin's complex transforms mini golf into a glowing, immersive "Under the Sea" experience. The course — and the players — glow in the dark under UV lighting. Octopuses, colorful fish, and a sunken pirate ship loaded with lost treasure form the nine-hole course around you.

3D glasses are available for approximately $1.50 per set — worth picking up for at least one player in the group. The 3D paint on the course walls genuinely rewards the glasses, adding depth and movement to the underwater theming. 

Best for: All ages; excellent rainy day or hot-afternoon option; young children particularly love the glowing environment; adults appreciate the climate control on a July afternoon  

4. Treasure Quest Mini Golf

📍 On the Gatlinburg Parkway | Indoor | 18 holes

An indoor, adventure-themed 18-hole course that puts you in the role of treasure hunter facing ghosts, dragons, Egyptian mummies, and scoundrels guarding their gold. The course includes a blacklight section where the glow-in-the-dark effects intensify the adventure atmosphere.

Treasure Quest skews slightly older in its appeal than some of the other indoor courses — the adventure theming and more challenging hole designs work best for ages 8 and up, though younger kids enjoy the spectacle of it. It's one of the better rainy afternoon options on the Parkway for groups with older kids and teens. 

Best for: Ages 8 and up; mixed groups; excellent rainy day option; competitive players who want more course challenge  

5. Ripley's Super Fun Zone

📍 On the Gatlinburg Parkway | Indoor | Retro-themed

Step back to the 1980s on this retro-themed indoor course — movie posters from '80s favorites cover the walls, and horror icons Jason and Freddy lurk along the way. The entire experience is a nostalgia trip for parents who grew up in that era, while kids get a genuinely fun themed course.

The indoor format makes it an excellent choice when afternoon thunderstorms roll through — and the Fun Zone extends your visit with an on-site arcade and laser tag, turning a single stop into a multi-activity afternoon without moving your car. 

Best for: Families, teens, '80s-loving parents; strong rainy day option; combine with arcade and laser tag for a full afternoon  

6. Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini Golf

📍 On the Gatlinburg Parkway | Outdoor | 36 holes (two 18-hole courses)

Two outdoor courses themed around Tennessee's most famous frontiersman — the life and history of Davy Crockett told hole by hole through the wild Tennessee frontier. Adorable animatronic animals appear throughout: bears, raccoons, and beavers pop up to "help" (or distract) as you play.

The animatronic animals are the signature feature that sets Ripley's Davy Crockett apart for young children — the interactive characters generate real excitement for the youngest golfers in ways that the other courses don't quite match. It's consistently recommended as the best choice for families with toddlers and early-elementary-age children. 

Hole-in-one bonus: If you sink a hole-in-one on the last hole of either course, you win a free game. Worth keeping the competitive focus through all 18 holes. 

Best for: Young children, families with kids ages 3–8; the animatronic animals are the main draw for the youngest players  

7. Amazing Mirror Maze and Circus Golf

📍 On the Gatlinburg Parkway | Indoor

What happens when you put mini golf inside a circus fun house? The result is Circus Golf — a full-sized indoor course where the challenges and comedy come as much from the environment as the holes themselves. A grinning ringmaster oversees the chaos as you putt past colorful circus-themed obstacles.

After your round, the adjacent Amazing Mirror Maze is a natural add-on — navigate the reflective labyrinth for a separate admission price or as part of a combination ticket. The Circus Golf + Mirror Maze combo is available for $12 — one of the most affordable entertainment combinations on the Gatlinburg Parkway. 

Also in the complex: Shoot 'Em Up Cinema, a Wild West-themed interactive game with special effects that adds another activity without moving the car.

Best for: Young children and families; the circus theme and colorful environment engage younger kids strongly; the $12 combo price makes it a great budget option 

Practical Tips for Mini Golf in Gatlinburg

Play outdoor courses at opening or after 5 PM. Gatlinburg's summer heat makes midday outdoor mini golf genuinely uncomfortable, especially at Hillbilly Golf's exposed hillside. Early morning and late afternoon are dramatically more pleasant.

Indoor courses are the rainy day answer. Blacklight Golf at Gatlin's, Treasure Quest, Ripley's Super Fun Zone, and Circus Golf are all climate-controlled and work perfectly during the afternoon thunderstorms that roll through Gatlinburg regularly in summer.

The Gatlin's Unlimited Pass is exceptional value for week-long stays. At approximately $21.99 for up to 10 days of unlimited play, it pays for itself after two visits and makes Gatlin's the natural nightly activity for families staying multiple days. 

The Ripley's hole-in-one challenge. Keep the competitive focus through all 18 holes at Ripley's Davy Crockett — a hole-in-one on the last hole wins a free game. 

Combine courses for a full day. Two 18-hole courses in a single day is comfortable for most groups — morning at Hillbilly Golf (outdoor, cooler), afternoon at an indoor course when heat or rain arrives. The courses are all within a short walk or drive of each other on the Parkway.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mini golf course in Gatlinburg? Hillbilly Golf is the most uniquely Gatlinburg experience — the funicular ride and Appalachian theming make it genuinely memorable. For families with young children, Ripley's Davy Crockett's animatronic animals are the biggest kid-pleaser. For rainy days and hot afternoons, Blacklight Golf at Gatlin's or Treasure Quest are the top indoor picks.

Which Gatlinburg mini golf courses are indoors? Blacklight Golf at Gatlin's, Treasure Quest, Ripley's Super Fun Zone, and Circus Golf are all fully indoor and climate-controlled — ideal for rainy days or summer afternoon heat.

How much does mini golf cost in Gatlinburg? Prices vary by course. Circus Golf + Mirror Maze is available as a combo for $12. Gatlin's offers an unlimited pass for approximately $21.99 valid for up to 10 days. Check each venue's website for current individual round pricing as rates vary seasonally. 

Is Hillbilly Golf good for young kids? Yes, though the outdoor terrain and funicular railway work better for children 4 and up than toddlers. Ripley's Davy Crockett is generally considered the better choice for the very youngest children due to the flat terrain and kid-friendly animatronic characters. 

Can you do multiple mini golf courses in one day? Absolutely — two 18-hole rounds in a single day is realistic and a popular way to spend a Gatlinburg afternoon. Most courses are within walking distance or a short drive of each other on the Parkway.  

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