Gun Ranges near Durango, CO

[sleepyone]

I'm heading up to Colorado next week with my family. We will be staying at some cabins on a river about 12 miles outside Durango Can anyone recommend a good public gun range around the area? My brother and his wife will be with us and they, and I, really want to shoot. I'm sure there will be a lot of down time. You can only do so much relaxing.

I would prefer an outdoor range with pistol and rifle lanes. I will also have my 13 and 16 year old daughters who want to shoot.

 

[DFW1911]

Contact CO Bureau of Land Management for lands where you can shoot. They won't have a range, but they're public lands where shooting is permitted, just following the rules.

Also, the USFS operates many areas throughout CO where you can shoot, so they are worth a call as well.

Lastly, if you're dead set on a commercial range, call a gun shop in Durango and they'll steer you right. Then again, they'll also know about BLM and USFS land, so maybe you should start there

Have fun. It's a great area of the country.

 

[oneounceload]

Colorado (used to live there), like Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, etc., ALL have a LOT of open BLM land and Nat'l Forest land. Once you're out of the town, you're pretty much in it. Any sporting goods store will have maps showing that. You could also ask at any local gun shop where folks have been shooting; otherwise, pick a dirt road, find a safe backstop and have fun - just clean up after yourselves......

 

[Roswell_Kid]

True enough about the BLM land and abundance of national forest, however...

Most towns have a Forest Service office. Stop in there first. The reason is that some sections of Forest Service land and BLM are not always accurately known. For years I lived outside of Pagosa Springs, about 40 mi east of where you will be, on a 50 acre "island" of private property surrounded on three sides by Forest Service and the other BLM. I had a "neighbor" seven miles off with a small ranch in much the same situation. Every once in a while we had problems with folks hunting through or even shooting across our isolated residences, even though we had the boundaries clearly marked.

The Forest Service guys will know where the little places like this are, and better yet will know the best areas to shoot. Please don´t depend on maps or hand-held GPS to show you the boundaries, particularly within 10 miles of major roadway.

 

[dtvburns]

^^^

Like they all said BLM. The are is very pretty so BLM is better than a range, get a varmint license in case something pops up to test your skills.

Unless a public range opened up in the las 10 years, I do not think there is one.

 

[gdesloge]

There is a Public Lands Office in Durango (970-247-4874 ?) that might be able to give you some guidance about shooting on Forest Service lands. Try going to the Nat'l Forest service site for the San Juan Forest - there will be information about shooting.

We live west of Durango (about an hour) our club is private. Durango has at least one club, and they may accept visitors. You might try calling a gun store over there for some info.

Regarding shooting in the forest: please remember that there are trails everywhere, and it is unlawful to shoot across trails, although it happens all the time. This time of year, there are bikers and hikers everywhere.

I hope that you enjoy your visit in Durango.

gd

 

[Armored farmer]

My family and some friends spent a week in Durango area last year and loved it. No shooting though. I did have a ccw along.
Be sure to visit Mesa Verde...If you love history. It may have been the highlight of the trip. Great vistas, cliff dwellings, mysterious, cultural, even the kids loved it.
Probably find somewhere to shoot in La Plata canyon??? Be careful though...you may find yourself in Charlie Daniels backyard!!

 

[Roswell_Kid]

Oh, I almost forgot! Be sure to go to Chimney Rock. Very cool.

 

[sleepyone]

thanks for all the info!

 

[Robert]

Durango Gun Club -$75 a year to be a member

Bayfield Lions Club- Free, on CR223. Donations accepted.

 

[Loves 2 shoot]

Im looking for a good place to shoot with my brother but im having a hard time. they r closing all of the places close to me they closed allenspark and le:bangheadfthand dose any 1 know were we can go? i live in longmont and dont really want to travel across colorado or into wyoming if i dont have to...
:banghead: