Pirate’s Cove in Wisconsin Dells isn’t just mini-golf, it’s an adventure

Summer is the best. Join Milwaukee Record and Miller High Life August 5-12 as we search the city and beyond for the Spirit Of Summer.

When it comes to tourist towns, Wisconsin Dells is a lot like Branson, Missouri. Sure, it may not have as many live performances from the Oak Ridge Boys or theaters owned by Yakov Smirnoff, but the Dells, like Branson, is built upon the idea of entertainment at all costs. There’s something to do stuffed into every nook, cranny, and parcel of land imaginable. If you adjust your expectations and find the right mindset (and open your pocketbook), it’s impossible not to be entertained in the Dells.

Another thing the Dells has in common with Branson? And Orlando, Atlanta, Rapid City, Traverse City, Door County, and a host of other locations across the country? Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. That’s right—there are Pirate’s Cove miniature golf courses all over the place. And they don’t just offer mini-golf…they offer adventure mini-golf.

It’s hard to miss the Dells Pirate’s Cove. It occupies the bulk of a large hill that looms over an intersection of highways at 193 U.S. State Hwy. 13. Pirate flags fly high above the courses. Waterfalls and wooden walkways and greenery abound. An ’80s-themed selfie studio flanks Pirate’s Cove on one side; a terrifying SkyScraper ride and another mini-golf course lurk behind it. Every nook and cranny, indeed.

Pirate’s Cove boasts five unique courses and a total of 91 holes. In keeping with the Dells’ family-friendly vibe, the courses range from “Easy” to “Slightly Less Easy.” Blackbeard’s 18, Captain Kidd’s 18, and Pirate’s Lookout 18 are all Par 2 holes. Pirate’s Challenge 18 and Captain Hook’s 19 are each roughly split between Par 2s and Par 3s. (Captain Hook’s 19 is the most ADA-friendly of the bunch.)

But the magic—nay, the adventure—of Pirate’s Cove lies not in the difficulty of its mini-golf, but in the beauty of its sprawling grounds and scenic views. Pools, streams, waterfalls, faux cliffs, flowers, hills, trees, and bushes; is there prettier mini-golf course in the state? We haven’t been to one. Toss in some jokey pirate signs, a giant sundial, a cozy gift shop, and a couple places where you can pose with a pirate statue (or stick your head in a pillory), and you’ve got a Dells staple.

And similar to getting breakfast at Mr. Pancake, that “staple” part goes a long way. Hitting up Pirate’s Cove—day or night!—is a Wisconsin Dells tradition. Showing your completed scorecard at Captain Scoopy’s next door and getting a free vanilla ice cream cone is a Wisconsin Dells tradition. It’s all part of an overall Dells experience that has existed for decades, and will—Blackbeard and Captain Kidd willing—continue to exist for decades to come.