Dramatic elevation changes, 7,400 yards, the toughest test in the valley
Golf Digest named Grizzly Ranch one of America's Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2021 — the only Graeagle course on that list. Designed by Bob Cupp and opened in 2005, it plays 7,411 yards through dramatic mountain terrain at 4,800–5,400 feet elevation. Slope 140, rating 74.9. Exposed ridgeline holes, forced carries, and panoramic Sierra views on every hole. Semi-private — access is through packages only. Grizzly Ranch tee times are limited. The course releases public windows 30 days in advance and they fill within days, particularly for weekend mornings in June through September. Groups booking through GolfGraeagle secure tee times as part of a confirmed package — no hunting for open slots or dealing with waitlists. The course plays at 5,161 feet average elevation, which means the ball carries 5–8% farther than at sea level. Bring one less club than you think. The greens are fast — typically stimping at 10–11 in peak season — and the breaks are subtle until they're not. First-time players consistently underestimate the slope. Grizzly Ranch golf groups who stay at River Pines Resort are 11 miles from the 1st tee.
7,411 yards
longest in the Graeagle region
Slope of 140
most challenging layout
Dramatic elevation changes on every hole
Plays downhill from an elevated tee with the entire course spread below. At 7,411 yards this course earns every foot — and hole 1 makes that clear immediately.
The most talked-about hole at Grizzly Ranch. A forced carry over a deep ravine to a green cut into the hillside, with panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada at 5,200 feet elevation. Three clubs of wind possible.
Low-handicap golfers ready for the hardest round in the valley. Groups that want one course they'll talk about for years.
High-handicap golfers or beginners — slope 140 and forced carries over ravines will punish crooked shots and slow pace of play significantly.
Save Grizzly Ranch for the last day. It's the exclamation point of a Graeagle trip — play the approachable courses first, then earn this one. Most groups pair it with a recovery round at Graeagle Meadows the morning after.
Closest lodging to Grizzly Ranch — sorted by distance
On-site dining at Grizzly Ranch
Bob Cupp design • Opened 2005 • 4199 CA-70, Portola, CA 96122 • (530) 832-4200
All ratings USGA-certified. Slope 113 = standard difficulty. Slope 140 from the tips is significantly above average — play the White or Gold tees if you are a 15+ handicapper.
Green fees are approximate — rates vary by availability and advance booking window. GolfGraeagle packages lock in rates as part of a confirmed stay-and-play reservation.
Grizzly Ranch earned Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2021 — the only course in the Graeagle valley on that list. Bob Cupp shaped the routing through raw Sierra terrain without forcing artificial drama. Every elevation change, forced carry, and ridgeline view exists because the land demanded it. It plays like a course that belongs here.
Slope 140 from the tips means a 20-handicapper can expect to shoot about 27 strokes over their handicap here, not their normal 20. The White tees (slope 124, 6,309 yds) are the right call for most mid-handicappers. The Gold tees (slope 115, 5,691 yds) play friendlier and still show you the full course. Play the right tees — you will have a far better round.
The course sits at 4,800–5,400 feet above sea level. At that altitude, a golf ball carries 5–8% farther than at sea level. A stock 7-iron that goes 150 yards at home will carry 157–162 yards here. Club down consistently — most first-time visitors fly greens all day because they under-adjust. The greens also stimp at 10–11 in peak season.
Grizzly Ranch is semi-private. Public tee times release on a rolling 30-day window and weekend mornings in June through September fill within days of opening. Groups that try to book 1–2 weeks out frequently find no availability. GolfGraeagle reserves tee times as part of confirmed packages, bypassing the public window. Book early — availability in late summer is tighter than it looks online.
Hole 14 is the most talked-about hole at Grizzly Ranch. A forced carry over a deep ravine to a green cut into the hillside at 5,200 feet elevation. The views extend across the Sierra Nevada. Wind can vary by 3 clubs in either direction. There is no bail-out — short is in the ravine, long is a difficult chip back. Play enough club and aim for the center of the green.
The Grizzly Grill is on property — exposed beam ceilings, a stone hearth, and a menu built around local game and Sierra produce. Full bar. Plan to have a drink on the deck after your round looking back over the course. It is 10 minutes from most Graeagle lodging and works well as a group dinner stop after afternoon rounds.
Yardages from official scorecard — Black/Blue/White/Gold tees. HCP = handicap stroke index. Red (forward) tees: 4,992 yds.
Grizzly Ranch plays 7,411 yards, par 72, with a slope of 140 and course rating of 74.9. It is ranked among Golf Digest's Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in the US.
Bob Cupp designed Grizzly Ranch. It opened in 2005 and earned Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in the United States in 2021.
Grizzly Ranch is semi-private. Public access is available through golf packages — GolfGraeagle can secure guaranteed tee times as part of a stay-and-play package.
With a slope of 140 and 7,411 yards from the back tees, it is the most demanding course in the Graeagle region. Elevation changes range from 4,800 to 5,400 feet across the course.
Grizzly Ranch features a pro shop, 30-station natural turf practice range, putting green, chipping area, and bunker practice area. The Grizzly Grill is on-site for dining.
Grizzly Ranch is in Portola, CA — approximately 11 miles east of Graeagle, about 18 minutes via Hwy 70.
No. Grizzly Ranch Golf Club in Portola, CA is often confused with Grey Eagle Lodge in McCloud, CA — a completely different property 3 hours south. If you searched grey eagle golf or grey eagle golf course, you are likely looking for Grizzly Ranch — the semi-private championship course 11 miles east of Graeagle, ranked Golf Digest Top 100.
Grizzly Ranch is semi-private — direct public tee time booking is limited and tee sheets fill quickly. GolfGraeagle secures guaranteed Grizzly Ranch tee times as part of stay-and-play packages. Request a quote at golfgraeagle.com/request-a-quote.
Grizzly Ranch green fees range from approximately $89–$119 in the shoulder season (May and October) to $139–$179 for peak weekend morning tee times in summer (June–September). Cart is included. GolfGraeagle packages start from $299 per golfer and include a confirmed tee time plus lodging.
Grizzly Ranch is a par 72 playing 7,411 yards from the Black tees (rating 74.9, slope 140), 6,893 yards from Blue (rating 72.1, slope 133), 6,309 yards from White (rating 69.3, slope 124), and 5,691 yards from Gold (rating 66.4, slope 115). The course has 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s, and 4 par 5s.
Grizzly Ranch is widely considered the best course in the Graeagle region and one of the best in Northern California — Golf Digest ranked it among the Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2021. The terrain is dramatic, the routing is genuine Bob Cupp, and the views from the ridgeline holes are among the best in the Sierra Nevada. It is a demanding round but a memorable one.
Grizzly Ranch holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating based on 177 verified reviews. Golfers consistently cite the elevation changes, forced carries, and ridgeline views as highlights. The main note in negative reviews is difficulty — slope 140 from the tips is challenging, and first-time visitors benefit from playing the White or Gold tees.
A typical round at Grizzly Ranch takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours for a foursome. The course is semi-private with controlled tee sheets, so pace of play is generally well-managed. Morning rounds in peak season tend to be faster than afternoon rounds. Allow extra time if this is your first visit — the terrain and elevation changes slow groups who are unfamiliar with the layout.
Grizzly Ranch requires collared shirts. Soft spikes only — metal spikes are not permitted. No denim on the course. Golf shorts must be appropriate length. The dress code is enforced at check-in.
Tee times + lodging + dining — handled by Mike Eskuchen, 20+ year golf industry expert. Packages from $299/golfer. Free quote, 24-hour response.
⚡ Golf Digest Top 100 — semi-private tee times release 30 days out and fill within days
Request a Free Quote →No obligation · 72-hr cancellation · Response within 24 hours
