Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Sighting-in Ranges

DWR has public sighting-in ranges available at the Amelia, Chickahominy, C.F. Phelps, Clinch Mountain, Gathright, and White Oak Mountain Wildlife Management Areas. These ranges are built with safety and accuracy in mind, and have posted restrictions. Please see the individual WMA pages for more information on each range.

• Sighting-In Range Rules (PDF)

Range Operation Dates

• Open September 1 – March 31, closed to public use April 1 – August 31.
• Closed on Mondays for maintenance, except holiday Mondays.

The use of pistols/handguns and .50 caliber centerfire rifles is prohibited.

Note: The Department reserves the right to manage use and access of these facilities as deemed appropriate.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Sighting-In Ranges

Blacksburg Sighting-In Range

North of Blacksburg. Take U.S. Route 460 west for 3 miles, turn right on Route 621 (Craig Creek Road) and follow the signs to the sighting-in range on the left. This range offers two facilities; an 18-position rifle/pistol range designed for firing at stationary targets and a single position shotgun (trap) range. Eastern Divide Ranger District, Blacksburg Office, 540-552-4641.

Wythe Sighting-In Range

Near the Stoney Fork Campground on Route 717. Take the Route 717 Exit off I-77 (near Big Walker Mountain Tunnel), turn west onto Route 717. Go approximately 500 yards and turn right onto the road that leads to the state maintenance building. Before reaching the building, turn left, then go about a half-mile to the range. This range has six shooting benches with ranges up to 100 yards.

This sighting-in range will be open seven days a week from dawn to dusk with no fee. The Forest Service will supply the target frames. Shooters must bring their own target sheets and tape or staple gun to affix targets to the frames. A donation box is set up at the range to help defray the cost of the target frames, which must be replaced each month. Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, 276-783-5196.

Hite Hollow Sighting-In Range

Near Augusta Springs. This 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 bottles are prohibited. From Staunton, take Route 254 west to Buffalo Gap, then Route 42 south about eight miles to Augusta Springs. Take Route 845 about a half-mile to Forest Development Road (FDR) 82, and follow this road about one mile to the range. (North River Ranger District, 540-432-0187).

Range Operation Dates

• Closed January 1 – April 30.

West Side Sighting-In Range

With eight covered benches Westside sighting-in range provides shooting lanes of various length. The range is located on FDR 151, about one mile north of the junction of FDR 151 and Route 33. The turnoff is about one mile east of the Brandywine Lake Recreation Area in West Virginia. Moving targets, glass and metal targets are prohibited. Shooters must provide their own targets and are asked to keep the range clean of litter by taking away all target materials with them. The range is open year-round, weather permitting. (North River Ranger District 540-432-0187).

Range Operation Dates

• Closed January 1 – April 30.

Low Moor Sighting-In Range

Located between Clifton Forge and Covington. Exit I-64 at Low Moor (Exit 21), go past entrance of the Alleghany Regional Hospital, go through railroad overpass, turn right onto Route 616 (Rich Patch Road) and follow approximately 1.6 miles. Turn left onto FDR 616 at the sign to the sighting-in range just past the Virginia Power Company sub-station on the left. Six rifle benches and 3 pistol benches are under roofed shelter. Features are: rifle range-stationary targets at 50 and 100 yards, and pistol range-stationary targets at 25 yards. Moving targets, such as clay pigeons are prohibited, as are glass bottles. Shooters must supply their own targets and are asked to keep the range clean of litter by taking away all target materials with them. The parking lot accommodates 5 vehicles. The range is open all year round and is not handicapped-accessible. (James River Ranger District, 540-962-2214.)

Pott’s Slope Sighting-In Range

Pott’s Slope Sighting-in Range: Located on the right of Route 311, approximately seven miles north of New Castle, Virginia, this range is handicapped-accessible with a covered shooting area.. The range features nine lanes for rifle/pistol use with stationary targets at 25, 50 and 100 yards. (Eastern Divide Ranger District 540-552-4641.)

Bath County Sighting-In Range

With 5 covered benches for shooting at 50 and 100 yards, this range provides an excellent place to zero-in your firearms. The range is located off Route 609 in Bath County approximately 1.7 miles east of Warm Springs. From Warm Springs, take Route 39 east to Route 609, turn left and go approximately 1 mile to the range entrance on the right. (Warm Springs Ranger District, 540-839-2521.) Generally the ranges are open from sunrise to sunset every day for firing rifles, pistols and shotguns at stationary targets. Moving targets are prohibited. There is no fee collected for use of the range, but you may have to wait your turn.

Important Reminders

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

• Firearms may be discharged for target practice only at established sighting-in ranges.
• Firearms may be discharged in the general area for the purpose of hunting during the open season. Discharging a firearm in a developed recreation site is dangerous and prohibited.
• For more information, contact the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Headquarters at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019, 540-265-5100.