A Riverside Golf Course Built for More Than Just Golf
River Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove, MN is known as one of the best public golf courses in the Twin Cities, but the experience does not end when you turn in your scorecard. This riverside golf course sits along the Mississippi River and offers a full lineup of amenities built around the round itself, including a full-service restaurant, a scenic patio, a practice facility, and bocce ball courts. Whether you are searching for a golf course near me for a quick nine or looking for a spot to spend an entire afternoon with family or coworkers, River Oaks delivers a complete Twin Cities golf course experience beyond the fairways.
For golfers near Woodbury, St. Paul, and the greater east metro, River Oaks has become a go-to destination not just for tee times, but for the atmosphere that surrounds them.
Eagles Bar & Grill: A Golf Course Restaurant with a View
At the center of the River Oaks experience is Eagles Bar & Grill, the golf course restaurant that has made River Oaks a destination in its own right. Open daily, Eagles Bar & Grill serves a full menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and burgers, along with a dedicated kids menu and a rotating seasonal lineup. It is a favorite stop whether you are winding down after eighteen holes, grabbing lunch with friends, or stopping by for drinks and appetizers with no round required.
What sets it apart from a typical clubhouse grill is the setting. Eagles Bar & Grill sits on a scenic patio overlooking the Mississippi River and the course itself, giving guests one of the best views of any restaurant with patio seating in the Twin Cities. Covered seating, string lights, and comfortable lounge furniture make it just as fitting for a relaxed weeknight dinner as it is for a weekend outing.
Patio Dining with Some of the Best Views in Cottage Grove
The patio at River Oaks has earned a reputation as one of the most scenic spots to eat and drink in the area, and it is easy to see why. Guests can take in sweeping views of the golf course and the river valley below, all while enjoying a full menu and bar service. It is a rare combination in the Twin Cities: a scenic view golf course setting paired with genuinely great food, without needing a tee time to enjoy it.
The patio also overlooks River Oaks’ practice facilities, so guests can sip a drink while watching golfers work on their game below. It is a laid-back way to experience everything that makes River Oaks one of the most complete public golf courses in the region.
Practice Range and Short Game Facilities
Golfers looking to sharpen their game before heading out will find everything they need at River Oaks’ practice range. The facility includes a spacious hitting bay and real grass range, along with a dedicated chipping green and putting green designed to mirror course conditions. It is an easy way to warm up before a round or spend an evening working on specific parts of your game, and it is available to golfers throughout the Twin Cities and Woodbury area looking for a true course-like practice experience.
Bocce Ball: A Different Kind of Game Day at River Oaks
River Oaks is not just a golf course. Its bocce ball courts have become one of the most popular non-golf attractions on the property, offering two courts, outdoor patio bar seating, and the same scenic river and course views found throughout the rest of the grounds. Along with bocce, guests can enjoy bean bag toss and full food and beverage service, making it a natural fit for birthday parties, team-building outings, family reunions, or a casual night out with friends.
For those looking for a regular game night, River Oaks also runs organized bocce leagues throughout the season, giving the community another reason to keep coming back beyond the golf course itself.
Plan Your Visit to River Oaks
Between the golf course, the practice facilities, the bocce courts, and Eagles Bar & Grill, River Oaks offers a level of variety that is hard to find at a single public golf course in the Twin Cities. Ready to experience it for yourself? Book a tee time online, or contact River Oaks to plan a visit to the patio, grill, or bocce courts.

