River Bottoms
The Story
ElevateUT designed and built River Bottoms from scratch in the Jordan River corridor of Draper, Utah. The project started at the end of 2022 when Scott Belchak approached Draper City about disc golf. The original target was a property across the road, but that turned out to be Salt Lake County land. Draper redirected to their own open space: "We own across the street, and we really don't know what to do with that."
The initial plan was a 9-hole beginner course. After bushwhacking through the back acreage — described by the crew as requiring machetes, "like Vietnam" — the team discovered significantly more usable space. The design expanded to a full 18 holes. Holes 9 through 14 sit in that initially unexplored back section along the Jordan River.
River Bottoms became the first disc golf course in Utah to secure significant UORG (Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant) funding for installation. The model: city applies, state funds, course gets built to professional standards. That precedent has since been replicated at other Utah courses. Draper City brought additional funding for concrete tee pads (heavy broom finish, 2×4 meter), professional signage, and infrastructure.
ElevateUT holds a separate $5,000 JRC grant for ongoing course improvements. A $30K mini UORG grant funded irrigation and 38 shade trees — an investment that will transform the playing experience as the trees mature. Sean Kelley contributed to the course design from the early stages.
The Inaugural Draper Open, a PDGA B-tier, was the first sanctioned tournament at River Bottoms. In 2026, the course hosts the Salt Lake Open (PDGA B-tier). The adjacent Mehraban Wetlands Park ("Baby Bottoms") — a separate 9-hole course also designed by Scott Belchak — was installed in March 2025.
Layouts
UDisc
What Players Say
This course is an amazing resource to SLC DG. If you're looking for a challenging round to put your skills to the test, this is it. Placement shots on every hole, always has wind to challenge you, and your score is never safe until the round is over. Well done. Amazing shot selection, tons of par 4s... I love it
This course is a great layout for short and long shots. Great fairway shapes, mandos, lengths, OBs — for where it's located this is a great course.
Super solid 18 hole course. 2 basket positions in every hole. Red for shorts, yellow for longs. Great mix of shot shapes & distances for both layouts. Bring water, quite the hike with not a lot of shade. Nice tee-pads, proper signage, fun mandos & white-stake OB. Lots of benches. Worth a visit!
For Utah, this is a very good course. Excellent teepads and signage, with plenty of good shot shaping opportunities thanks to the OB and mandos on the course. Not the prettiest course but definitely a fun time.
Scott once again coming in clutch. As this course matures, it proves two things: 1- OB can be very tactical when applied effectively, and 2- it's ok to embrace a course where wind can be a real factor. Love it.
Maintenance
Draper City Parks handles mowing and general grounds maintenance through Rick Anton (Parks Operations) and Greg Hilbig (Trails and Open Space Manager). ElevateUT manages disc-golf-specific upkeep — basket positioning, OB stake maintenance, signage, and course improvements funded by the JRC grant. An entrance sign with steel beam and concrete column footings is under construction (2026). Thistle spray and invasive species management are coordinated between Draper Parks and regional Jordan River corridor programs.