Type: outdoor, pistol, rifle, shotgun, archery, trap-skeet, sporting-clays, long-range, training, tactical, full-auto, simulator
Ben Avery Shooting Facility: The largest publicly operated shooting facility in the United States with 1,650 acres in north Phoenix open to everyone for just $7 per day, with children under 18 always free. Founded in 1957 and operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Ben Avery is the first government facility to receive a Five Star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges and a recognized City of Phoenix Point of Pride. The facility spans everything from a 67-position public main range and one of the few publicly accessible 1,000-yard High Power Ranges in the country, to clay target shooting, five field archery ranges, a Cowboy Mounted Shooting arena, a smallbore range with night lighting, and three on-site campgrounds with full electric and sewer hookups. Full auto and NFA items are permitted in approved positions. With a minimum age of just 5, this is the most family-accessible range on the list and one of the greatest values in American shooting sports.
Lanes: 67 (5 yards to 1,000 yards across multiple ranges. Main public range: 5 to 200 yards (67 positions). High Power Range: 1,000 yards. Benchrest: 300 yards. Smallbore: covered with night lighting. Pistol bays: 25 yards. Silhouette ranges: 200 to 500 meters.)
Ben Avery Shooting Facility (BASF) is the largest publicly operated shooting range in the United States, spanning 1,650 acres in north Phoenix. Founded in 1957 and operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, it welcomes over 120,000 shooters per year across more than a dozen distinct range areas covering rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery, silhouette, benchrest, mounted shooting, and more.
The all-day range pass is $7 for adults 18 and older. Children ages 5 to 17 shoot for free. A 10-day non-consecutive shooting pass is available for $70 and includes one bonus day. Equipment rentals include spotting scopes for $2, rifle rests for $5, and ear plugs for $0.50. Targets range from $0.15 to $4.50.
Children ages 5 and older are welcome at Ben Avery. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times. Children under 18 shoot for free.
Weekday visits are walk-in only, though reservations are encouraged. Weekend visits require a reservation. Last check-in is one hour prior to closing. Online reservations are available at azgfd.com.
The main public range has 67 shooting positions from 5 yards to 200 yards. Rifle Ranges 1 and 2 offer 15 shooting points at 50 meters, 50 yards, and 100 yards. Pistol Ranges 2, 3, and 4 are open 25-yard bays. The Clay Target Center offers trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Five field archery ranges and a FITA archery range are also open to the public.
Specialty ranges require a user group agreement and include the 1,000-yard High Power Range, 300-yard Benchrest Range, Smallbore Range with night lighting, Frank L. DeSomma Rifle Silhouette Range (200 to 500 meters), Pistol Silhouette Range (to 200 meters), indoor air gun and archery building, Cowboy Mounted Shooting arena, and a DPS law enforcement training range.
Yes. Full auto fire is permitted at Ben Avery in approved prone or benched positions. NFA firearms including suppressors are welcome. Firearms chambered in .50 BMG or producing equivalent energy are strictly prohibited on most ranges.
Yes. Ben Avery has one of the few publicly accessible 1,000-yard High Power Ranges in the country, with wind flags every 100 yards along the range. It supports PRS, F-Class, NRL22, and long-range silhouette disciplines. The range is also available on select weekends for public use.
Ben Avery offers introductory firearms classes, introductory archery clinics, range safety officer volunteer training, NRA-certified firearm safety courses, AZGFD hunter safety education, family firearms courses, and 3D archery programs. All classes are taught by trained instructors and are held at the on-site classroom facilities.
Yes. Ben Avery welcomes children ages 5 and older and offers family-friendly firearms courses, introductory archery clinics for youth, and 3D archery shoots. Junior shooting events are held on a regular basis. Children under 18 always shoot free.
Yes. Three campgrounds are on-site including a developed campground with electric and sewer hookups and primitive camping areas, making Ben Avery ideal for multi-day shooting trips. Pricing and availability can be confirmed by calling 623-582-8313.
Yes. Ben Avery hosts regional and national-level competitions throughout the year including PRS Precision Rifle matches, F-Class, NRL22, USPSA, silhouette shooting, benchrest, Cowboy Action Shooting, and the Southwest Nationals. It also hosted the 1970 ISSF World Shooting Championships.
Yes. The DPS 100-yard range is reserved for Arizona Department of Public Safety use Monday through Friday and is available for public use on select weekends. The facility also supports law enforcement qualification courses and training programs.
Yes. Rental shotguns are available at the Clay Target Center. Shotgun ammo in 12-gauge is sold on site for approximately $8 per pack. Clay cards are purchased electronically at the facility.
Ben Avery Shooting Facility is funded through user fees and federal dollars appropriated through the Pittman-Robertson Act, a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition that directs funds back to wildlife and shooting sports programs.
Ben Avery is located at 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd in north Phoenix, approximately 25 miles north of downtown Phoenix. Take I-17 to Exit 223 (Carefree Highway) and head half a mile west. The main entrance is on the right. Online reservations and a facility map are available at azgfd.com/shooting/basf.