Pros:
- wonderful, challenging, layout, tip of the cap to the designers
- lots of twists and turns in both directions requiring a complete game
- some super cool, straight, tight shots through tall red pines (fair and fun!)
- mostly wooded but still a nice variety of holes
- excellent directions between holes (and it needs to be as this course is a good hike)
- nice map and score card available just before #1 tee
- for as wooded as it is, not all that many places to lose a disc
Cons:
- bring bug spray (but it's mostly woods running so it's to be expected)
- the most eclectic mix of basket types I've seen (but I'm nitpicking here)
Other Thoughts:
If you like a challenging wooded course you should love Mississippi River Park. The signage is nice but it has a bizarre par rating difference between the long and short tee's. On quite a few holes you'll have a distinct advantage if you play them as marked and from the long tee's... but who cares really, play it as you wish and just enjoy this wonderful setting. I talked to a park maintenance man before leaving and it sounds like the deer fly's would be out in full force within 2-3 weeks. Mosquitoes were numerous but manageable with spray as long as you kept moving; I could see this course being difficult to play once the deer fly's are present. I look forward to playing here again, I can't say that I played it all that well but this is one of those places you drive away from feeling like you were given a fair chance to make your shots and the ones you missed were your fault rather than the layout being unrealistic. All skill levels should enjoy this place if you're up for a challenge!