George Washington and Jefferson

National Forests

Recreational Activities

Shooting Ranges

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have constructed and maintain a number of shooting range facilities for your use and enjoyment. The following shooting range facilities are scattered across the national forests to afford easy access. There is no fee for the use of these facilities. Your cooperation in keeping the shooting facilities clean and safe will ensure their continued availability for many years to come.

Important Facts

A couple of important facts to keep in mind as you plan your visit to the National Forests:

• Firearms may be discharged for target practice only at established shooting ranges.
• Firearms may be discharged in the general Forest area for the purpose of hunting during open season.
• Discharging a firearm in a developed recreation site is dangerous and prohibited.
• We hope you enjoy your visit to the shooting range facilities of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Shooting Range facilities listed by Ranger District

North River Ranger District

The Hite Hollow Shooting Range is located near Augusta Spring. The range is open from sunrise to sunset every day for firing rifles, pistols, and shotguns at stationary targets. Moving targets such as clay pigeons, and bottle shooting are prohibited. From Staunton, take SR 254 west to Buffalo Gap. Take SR 42 south about 8 miles to Augusta Springs. Take SR 845 about a half mile to FDR 82 and follow this road about 1 mile to the range.

The West Side Shooting Range is open year round and provides shooting lanes of various lengths, covered shooting benches, and a parking area. The range is located on FDR 151, about one mile north of the junction of FDR 151 and US 33. The turnoff is about 1 mile east of the Brandywine Lake Recreation Area entrance.

James River Ranger District

The Low Moor Shooting Range, located between Clifton Forge and Covington, is open year-round and provides shooting lanes of various lengths, shooting benches, and a parking area. Moving targets, such as clay pigeons, and bottle shooting are prohibited. Take Exit 21 off I-64 and follow SR 616 for about 1.6 miles. Turn into the range at the sign.

Eastern Divide Ranger District

The Potts Slope Shooting Range is located on the right of SR 311, approximately 7 miles north of New Castle, Virginia. This range is handicap accessible with a covered shooting area. The range features nine lanes for rifle/pistol use with stationary targets at 25, 50 and 100 yards.

The Blacksburg Shooting Range is located north of Blacksburg. From Blacksburg, take US 460 north to SR 621. Turn right, and follow signs to the shooting range on the left.
This range offers two facilities; an 18 position rifle/pistol range and a single position shotgun (trap) range. The rifle/pistol range is designed for firing at stationary targets.

The Wythe Shooting Range is located near the Stoney Fork Campground on State Route 717. Take the SR 717 exit off of Interstate 77 (near the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel). Turn west onto SR 717. Approximately 500 yards down SR 717, turn right onto the road that leads to the State maintenance building. Before reaching the building, turn left and drive for about a half mile to the range.
The target range includes six 25-yard lanes and four 100-yard lanes. Targets can be set at seven, 15 and 25 yards on the 25-yard lanes, and seven, 15, 50 and 100 yards on the 100-yard lanes.

The shooting ranges will be open seven days a week dawn to dusk and costs nothing to use. The Forest Service will supply the target frames. Shooters must bring their own target sheets and tape or staple gun to affix the target to the target frame. A donation box is set up at the range for buying target frames, which must be replaced every month.

Warm Springs Ranger District

The Bath County Shooting Range has 10 covered benches for shooting at 50 and 100 yards. The range provides an excellent place to zero- in your firearms. The range is located off SR 609 in Bath County approximately 5 miles east of Warm Springs. From Warm Springs take SR 39 east to SR 609. Turn left onto SR 609. The range entrance is on the right approximately 1.25 miles from the junction of SR 39 and SR 609.

* = District locator map will take time to download - please be patient.