Most mini-golf courses give you a windmill and call it a day. Out in the farm country west of the Twin Cities, one course went much further and filled about 20 acres with giant sculptures built from wire, tires, stone, granite, and metal.
There are goats, a mule, chickens, lawn chess with pieces about three feet tall, and a bocce court tucked between the trees. Plenty of lifelong Minnesotans have never heard of it, which makes finding it feel like getting in on a secret.
Families with kids, couples on a date, and anyone who loves handmade art will find plenty to talk about here. Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes each hole special, what to bring, and why many people stay for two hours or more.
A Farm Turned Art Playground
Tucked into the countryside west of Minneapolis, a quiet farm hides one of the most unusual putting greens in the state. Big Stone Mini Golf sits at 7110 County Rd 110 W Ext, Minnetrista, MN 55364.
The place is part mini-golf course and part sculpture garden, all set on a working farm. Giant animal sculptures stand around the course, and live goats and landscaped gardens round out the grounds.
The trip in sets the mood before you ever pick up a putter. The driveway is scenic and relaxing, winding toward a property with a classic barn and older farm structures.
Many people show up expecting a quick round of putt-putt. They often leave after spending hours wandering the grounds, which is the best kind of surprise.
The course holds an impressive 4.8-star standing from more than 1,300 opinions online, a number that speaks to how consistently the place delivers. Even folks who grew up in Minnesota admit they never knew it existed until recently.
That mix of hidden location and big creative payoff is exactly what keeps people talking. Once you know where it is, the hard part is deciding what to see first.
Twenty Acres of Handmade Giants
Sculptures are the real headline act here, and they come in a remarkable range of materials. Across roughly 20 acres, you will find pieces made from wire, tires, stone, granite, and metal.
Metal ties much of the collection together, yet no two works feel alike. Each one is spaced out so it gets its own moment in the spotlight.
The tire sculptures tend to win fans, since it is hard to believe something so detailed started life on a car. The animal figures are large enough to make kids and adults stop and stare.
Plenty of the art is hidden around corners and between trees. Taking your time pays off, because there is a little scavenger-hunt quality to finding as many pieces as possible.
The amount of work behind it all is clear. Keeping a collection like this in good shape across so much land is a huge job, and the passion of the artists shows in every corner.
Fans of crafting and handmade work tend to find this part especially rewarding. It is a big outdoor gallery that just happens to come with a golf course attached.
Holes With Names and Personality
Pumpkin Patch. Wiggly Worm.
The hole names alone hint that this is not your average strip-mall course.
Every hole carries its own creative twist, with sculptures and art built into and around the greens. The result feels custom rather than copied from a catalog.
Golfers often describe the course as unique and challenging without being gimmicky. That balance makes it fun for young kids while still giving grown-ups something to think about.
A small navigation tip helps here. Hole 7 sits to the far left, so keep an eye out before you wander off in the wrong direction.
The course is on the shorter side, with mentions of 12 to 15 holes depending on the day. Some players wish there were more, which is honestly a compliment wrapped in a complaint.
The greens have seen plenty of use, and the turf shows its age in spots. Most players happily look past that, since the design and art carry the experience.
Plan on roughly an hour for a round. After that, the rest of the property is waiting.
Goats, a Mule, and Friends
Not every course can claim a mule on staff. This one has goats, chickens, and a mule roaming the farm side of the property.
The goats are a crowd favorite and show up again and again in conversations about the place. A small petting-zoo area gives kids a chance to say hello up close.
Some guests have even spotted a highland cow, which adds a dose of shaggy charm to the day. The animal lineup helps the whole visit feel like a farm outing as much as a golf trip.
For families, this is often the part kids remember most. A round of golf followed by goat time is a hard combination to beat.
The animals also give the grounds a lived-in, working-farm character. Art, nature, and critters all share the same space here, and somehow it fits together.
Leave a little time in the plan for this stop. It is easy to underestimate how long the kids will want to linger.
Chess Pieces as Tall as a Toddler
Checkmate takes on a new scale when the pieces stand about three feet high. The giant chess board is one of the most talked-about extras on the grounds.
Moving those oversized pieces turns a quiet strategy game into a full-body activity. It works well for families, friends, or anyone who wants a friendly rivalry after golf.
Checkers are also available, so younger players have an easier option. Both games sit out in the open among the sculptures and trees.
Plenty of folks spend more time at the chess board than they planned. It becomes a natural gathering spot while others finish exploring.
The best part is that these games come with the visit. The main cost here covers golf, and the rest of the property is there to enjoy.
Bring a competitive streak, but leave room for some laughs. Knocking over a knight that size is half the fun.
Bocce, Cornhole, and a Stone Ping-Pong Table
Golf is only the opening act. The lawn games spread around the property could fill an afternoon on their own.
A sand court hosts bocce ball, and a few cornhole boards are set up for bean bag tosses. A standing shuffleboard table adds another option for groups.
The standout might be the solid stone ping-pong table. It fits right in with the rest of the stonework scattered across the grounds.
These games make the place work for mixed groups. While one person studies a sculpture, another can be lining up a bocce throw nearby.
Waits for the course can happen on busy days, and the games help those minutes slip by. Many people barely notice the wait because there is so much to do.
The variety also gives teens and adults a reason to stick around after the kids are done. Nobody ends up stuck on a bench with nothing to do.
Picnic Tables Among the Trees
Packing a lunch might be the smartest move of the day. Big tables and plenty of benches are nestled among the sculptures and trees.
Bringing sandwiches, snacks, and drinks from home turns the visit into a relaxed outdoor meal. It is a simple way to stretch the day without heading back to the car.
The seating also makes the grounds a strong choice for gatherings. There are lots of unique spaces to settle into with a group.
A fire pit appears on the property as well, adding to the backyard-hangout character of the place. It is one more spot where people tend to gather.
Public one-stall restrooms are located just behind the clubhouse, where rounds are purchased. That small detail makes a long visit with kids much easier.
Between the shade, the seating, and the art, lunch here rarely feels rushed. Many groups end up staying longer than they expected.
Date Nights to Birthday Parties
Few spots can please a six-year-old and a grandparent in the same afternoon. This one manages it with ease.
Families with kids between about 6 and 12 often spend two hours here and still want more. Grandparents bring grandkids back for repeat visits, which says a lot.
Couples find it works nicely for a date night that feels different. Solo explorers also fit right in, since the art garden rewards a slow, quiet walk.
The space seems tailor-made for a child’s birthday party. With games, animals, and open lawns, there is room for everyone to spread out.
The overall mood is whimsical and a little magical, the kind of place that makes adults feel like kids again. Even fans of other quirky Minnesota attractions come away impressed by the creativity.
Craft lovers and art fans get a special payoff too. Seeing what talented hands can build from tires and scrap metal can spark a few project ideas of your own.
Bring Cash, Seriously
Here is the single most important tip in this whole article. Big Stone Mini Golf does not accept credit cards or debit cards.
Cash is the way to pay, and checks have also been mentioned as an option. Plenty of people double check before leaving home, and that habit pays off.
Payment happens at the clubhouse, where you buy your round. The cost covers the golf clubs and the round, while the rest of the grounds come along with it.
Some feel the price runs a little higher than typical mini golf. Most agree that the sculptures, games, and animals make it a solid value overall.
Even so, the experience is frequently called affordable for what you get. Twenty acres of art plus lawn games is a lot of entertainment for one stop.
Stop at an ATM on the way if needed. Showing up with only a card is the one mistake that can stall a great day.
Timing Your Visit Right
Daylight matters more here than at most courses. Hours are listed as 9:30 AM to 9 PM daily, and in the warmer seasons the grounds run until sunset, no later than 9 PM.
That sunset cutoff catches people off guard. Arriving in the evening can mean running out of light before seeing the whole sculpture garden.
Weekends can get busy. On a Saturday afternoon, the wait for the course has stretched to about an hour.
Sunday evenings and late Sunday afternoons have seen little to no wait. Earlier arrival is still smart if you want time for everything.
Finding the entrance can be a little tricky the first time. Follow the trail under the arch, and you will be on the right path.
Hours can shift by season, so checking the website before heading out is wise. A little planning makes the difference between a rushed visit and a relaxed one.
Worth the Drive From Anywhere Nearby
Some outings are fine once, and some keep pulling people back. Big Stone Mini Golf firmly belongs in the second group.
Repeat guests say they discover something new each time. With so many hidden sculptures, that makes perfect sense.
The golf is fun, but the grounds are what turn a short game into a half-day adventure. Art, animals, and games all share one farm in a way that feels personal and handmade.
It is not flawless, and the greens could use fresh turf. The course is also shorter than some players would like.
Still, those small gripes rarely dent the overall excitement. If you live within about two hours, the trip is easy to justify.
Pack a lunch, bring cash, and arrive with daylight to spare. Your putter may get the first shot, but the sculptures will steal the show.
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