Are you looking for a safe place to sharpen your shooting skills near Des Moines? You’ll find several options throughout the area. The good news is most of them are year-round. And some even offer state-of-the-art indoor facilities. If it’s instruction and education you’re after, many facilities offer that too! Below is a map and list of public shooting ranges near Des Moines to check out (along with private, members-only clubs).
Shooting safety
Safety and responsibility are top priorities with firearms! So before you head to the shooting range, take time to learn about your gun. Know how to handle it, how it works, and how to load and unload it safely. It’s also vital to understand shooting range rules and commands and, of course, have ear and eye protection.
Some shooting ranges have classes and programs on safety, techniques, positioning, and more.
And in Iowa, you must complete a hunter certification program before you can get a hunting license. But, even if you don’t plan to get a license, we think the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources Hunter Education Program is useful for anyone to take before practicing with a firearm!
Map of Des Moines area shooting ranges
Public shooting ranges near Des Moines, Iowa
Below are the public shooting ranges in and around Des Moines. You can also see the Iowa DNR website for other shooting ranges throughout Iowa.
CrossRoads Shooting Sports
This indoor shooting range is on the north side of the Des Moines metro. CrossRoads has a 17000 square foot facility with retail and classroom space. Plus, they offer training for all levels. See their website for more information.
- Walk-in indoor shooting range (fees)
- Handgun and rifle
- Shotgun (slugs only)
- Gun training and lessons
- Store on-site; firearms for rent
Location: 5550 Johnston Dr, Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: 515-334-8863
Rangemasters Training Center
This 18,000 square foot facility in Clive offers instruction for all levels, retail space, and on-site gunsmith. See their website for more information.
- Indoor shooting range (fees)
- Auto target retrieval
- Handgun and rifle
- Gun training and lessons
- Store on-site
Location: 10520 Hickman Rd, Clive, IA 50325
Phone: 515-661-4866
Banner Shooting Range
The Banner Shooting Range is about 20 minutes south of Des Moines, next to Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park. It’s an outdoor range with facilities. For more information, see the brochure and Iowa DNR website.
- Professionally staffed and supervised range (fees)
- Targets and ammunition for sale on site
- Open year-round
- Handgun and rifle range
- Shotgun range
- Also has archery
- For up-to-date info, see their Facebook page
Location: 13796 Elk Horn St, Indianola, IA 50652
Phone: 515-961-6408
Email: BannerRange@dnr.iowa.gov
Butch Olofson Shooting Range
The Butch Olofson Shooting range is about 30 minutes north of Des Moines, near Big Creek State Park (Polk City). It’s a newly renovated outdoor range with amenities. For more information, see the brochure and Iowa DNR website.
- Professionally staffed range (fees)
- Open year-round
- Handgun and rifle range
- Shotgun range
- Also has archery
- Classroom for educational activities
- For up-to-date info, check their Facebook page
Location: 11652 NW Nissen Drive, Polk City, IA 50226
Phone: 515-795-4000
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Trap Range
The Chichaqua trap range is at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt northeast of Des Moines. The facility has a trap house with a manual thrower. For more details, see the Polk Co. Conservation website.
- Shotgun only (no slugs, rifles, or handguns)
- Reservations accepted (515-967-2596)
- Walk-up patrons pay at the self-pay station but must have their own thrower (walk-up only if the facility isn’t reserved)
Location: 8700 NE 126th Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161
Phone: 515-967-2596
More public shooting ranges in Central Iowa
Brushy Creek Shooting Range
There are two unsupervised ranges at Brushy Creek Recreation Area. The north range is a shotgun range (clay only), and the south range is for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. See the Iowa DNR website for more details.
North range: 2451 Taylor Ave, Duncombe, IA 50532
South range: 2804-2874 Brushy Creek Dr, Lehigh, IA 50557
Bays Branch Shooting Range
Bays Branch is a basic, unsupervised range near Panora, Iowa, and Bays Branch Wildlife Area. See the Iowa DNR website for details.
Location: 190th Street, Panora, Iowa 50216
Madison County Sportsmens Club
Shooting events and activities are available for members and the public. See their website for details.
Location: 4224 Cedar Bridge Rd, Winterset, IA 50273
Private (members-only) shooting ranges
New Pioneer Gun Club (Shotgun only)
See their website and Facebook page for details.
Location: 31454 312th Pl, Waukee, IA 50263
Raccoon Valley Sportsman Club
See their website for details.
Location: 26404 Sportsman’s Club Rd, Adel, IA 50003
Warren Co. Izaac Walton
See their website for details.
Location: 16383 118th Ave, Indianola, IA 50125
Central Iowa Impact
Central Iowa Impact has classes and a shooting range. See their website for details.
Location: 2520 Eastgate Dr, Boone, IA 50036
Colfax Gun Club
See their Facebook page for details.
Location: 946 W 120th St. N, Colfax, IA 50054
Pleasantville Rifle and Pistol Club
See their website for details.
Location: 102 Keokuk Dr, Pleasantville, IA 50225
Photo credit: Pixabay
