Missouri has one of the best public range systems in the Heartland. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) runs a handful of staffed ranges near the big metros, and more than 35 unstaffed ranges on conservation areas that are free to use. MDC keeps an official shooting range finder, and this page adds the hours, fees and current status we found on each range's MDC page.
MDC staffed ranges
These have range officers on duty, covered shooting lines and set hours. Fees are cash (some also take checks), and most are closed Monday and Tuesday.
| Range | Area | What you can shoot | Hours | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City Shooting Range | Blue Springs (KC metro) | Rifle 25-100 yd, pistol, trap, skeet, patterning, archery | Sep 1-Mar 31: Wed-Sun 11am-4:30pm | $5 per booth per hour; $5 per round of trap or skeet. Cash only |
| Parma Woods Shooting Range | Parkville (KC Northland) | Rifle, pistol, archery | Sep 1-Mar 31: Wed-Sun 11am-4:30pm | $5 per booth per hour. Cash only |
| August A. Busch Shooting Range | Defiance (St. Louis area) | 100-yd and 50-yd rifle/pistol, trap, skeet, patterning, archery | Wed-Sun 10am-4:30pm | $5 per hour; $5 per round of trap or skeet. Cash or check |
| Jay Henges Shooting Range | High Ridge (St. Louis area) | 100-yd rifle/pistol, trap, 5-stand, patterning, archery | Wed-Sun (posted schedules differ; call) | $5 per booth per hour; $5 per round. Cash or check |
| Andy Dalton Shooting Range | Ash Grove (Springfield) | Rifle, pistol, trap, skeet, 5-stand, patterning, archery | Wed-Sun 11am-4:30pm | $5 per booth per hour; $5 per round of 25. Cash or check |
A few notes:
- Lake City provides target stands, targets, benches and rests, but you bring your own eye and ear protection. Text MDCLake to 468311 for closure alerts.
- Busch includes basic eye and ear protection. Text "MDC Busch" to 468311 for alerts.
- Henges includes paper targets and loaner eye and ear protection, and doesn't allow steel projectiles on the rifle and pistol range. Its two MDC pages list slightly different Wednesday hours, so call first.
- Parma Woods: MDC posted that Route FF in Platte County is closed June 1-Nov. 1 for improvements, which affects the drive in. Follow posted detours.
- Rocky Fork Lakes near Columbia (listing) is staffed too: MDC's area page says a staffed shooting range is located on the area. It's open Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm October-March and noon-6pm April-September. The area page doesn't list fees, so call before you go.
- MDC's proposed rule also lists the trap and skeet range at Apple Creek Conservation Area (Cape Girardeau County) as a staffed range. It isn't in our directory yet.
Free unstaffed ranges on conservation areas
MDC's unstaffed ranges have no fee and no staff. Hours are half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset unless posted, and several close one weekday for maintenance. MDC's rules for these ranges include:
- Paper targets on the provided target holders only (clay targets only on shotgun-only portions).
- No alcohol on the range or in the parking lot.
- No tracer, incendiary, armor-piercing or explosive ammunition; full-auto only with a special use permit.
- Groups over 10 need a special use permit.
These are the unstaffed ranges in our directory so far:
| Range | Nearest town | What you can shoot | Closed for maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Valley Shooting Range | Clinton | Rifle, pistol, shotgun | Wednesdays |
| Marshall Junction CA | Marshall | Rifle, pistol, shotgun | Not posted |
| Gallatin CA | Gallatin | Rifle, pistol, shotgun (long-distance, over 200 yd) | Not posted |
| Poosey CA | Chillicothe | Rifle, pistol (25, 50, 100 yd) | Not posted |
| Riverbreaks CA | Oregon | Rifle, pistol | Not posted |
| Elam Bend CA | Albany | Rifle, pistol, shotgun | Not posted |
| Atlanta CA | Macon | Rifle, pistol | Not posted |
| Rudolf Bennitt CA | Higbee (north of Columbia) | Rifle, pistol | Not posted |
| Whetstone Creek CA | Williamsburg | Rifle, pistol, shotgun | Not posted |
| Scrivner Road CA | Russellville (Jefferson City) | Rifle, pistol 25-100 yd, shotgun | Not posted |
| Little Indian Creek CA | Sullivan | Rifle, pistol, shotgun | Mondays |
| Lead Mine CA | Lebanon | Rifle, pistol | Mondays |
| Busiek State Forest | South of Springfield | Rifle, pistol | Mondays |
| Fort Crowder CA | Neosho | Rifle, pistol 25-100 yd, shotgun, archery | Mondays |
| Flag Spring CA | Washburn | Rifle, pistol, shotgun | Mondays |
| Caney Mountain CA | Gainesville | Rifle, pistol, archery | Not posted |
Closed right now: MDC posts that the Sugar Creek CA range near Kirksville is closed until further notice.
MDC lists more unstaffed ranges than we have so far (Angeline, Apple Creek, Castor River, Current River, Deer Ridge, Flatwoods, Fox Valley Lake, Reifsnider, Gist Ranch, Grand River Bottoms, Huzzah, Indian Trail, Magnolia Hollow, Peck Ranch, Pleasant Hope, Perry, Ranacker, Wellsville Lake, White Ranch and William R. Logan). Check the MDC range finder for those.
The proposed permit for unstaffed ranges
In 2026 MDC proposed requiring a valid small game hunting permit to use its unstaffed firearms ranges. Per MDC's June 2026 announcement:
- It would apply only to MDC-owned unstaffed firearms ranges, not MDC's staffed ranges or partner ranges. Unstaffed archery ranges are exempt.
- Existing age and disability exemptions would stay.
- Resident annual small game permits start at $11.50; nonresident daily permits are $16 and annual permits $108.50.
- The Conservation Commission gave initial approval May 29, 2026, with final consideration scheduled for Sept. 11.
Status as of Oct. 20, 2026: MDC has not announced final approval. A local news report (West Plains Daily Quill) says the Commission delayed action at its Sept. 11 meeting, and the published agenda for the Oct. 23 meeting doesn't include the rule. Check MDC's Commission meetings page for the current status. For now, the unstaffed ranges are free and no permit is required.
Other ranges open to the public
Some Missouri ranges aren't run by MDC but are open to the public:
- Grandview Shooting Range (City of Grandview): Saturdays only, $7 per lane, cash only. Under 18 must be with a parent or guardian.
- Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex (Columbia): shotgun sports plus pistol and rifle berms; open to the public Tue and Thu 10am-sunset and Sat-Sun 10am-5pm.
- Lake Lotawana Sportsmen's Club and Kansas City Trapshooters Association for trap and skeet in the KC area.
See all Missouri ranges, or our guide to sighting in a deer rifle in Missouri.
Frequently asked questions
Are MDC shooting ranges free?
The unstaffed ranges on conservation areas are free. The staffed ranges charge about $5 per hour for rifle and pistol, or $5 per round for shotgun sports, cash or check.
Do I need a hunting permit to use an MDC range?
Not right now. MDC has proposed requiring a small game hunting permit for its unstaffed firearms ranges, but it hadn't announced final approval as of Oct. 20, 2026. Check MDC's site for the current status.
Can I bring my own targets?
On unstaffed ranges, MDC allows paper targets on the provided holders only (and clay targets on shotgun-only areas). No steel targets, bottles or cans.
This guide is general information only, not legal advice. Hours, fees and rules change, so always check MDC's page or call the range before you go.