Dirty John Shooting Range
The shooting range offers 100-yard range with target frames set at 25 yards, 50 yards and 100 yards with six firing lanes or stations. This area is open all year. See fee information and restrictions below. A vault toilet is available.
General Information
year round
30 minutes after dawn and 30 minutes before dusk
none
The cost for a range pass is $5 per person each day or $30 per person annually. Passes must be purchased before traveling to the range. Range users must possess their passes when at the range. Passes are available at:
- Nantahala Ranger District Office, 90 Sloan Rd. Franklin, N.C. 28734, 828-524-6441;
- Carolina Mini Mart, 205 Sloan Rd., Franklin, N.C. 28734, 828-369-7677;
- Bryant Bait and Tackle, 18154 Wayah Rd., Aquone, N.C. 28781, 828-321-2371;
- Caney Fork General Store, 6925 Highway 107 South, Cullowhee NC 28723, 828-293-9767
- Tuckasegee Trading Co, 7987 Hwy 107 South, Cullowhee, NC 28723, 828-293-1514; and
- Top Cats Grocery, 3275 U441 South, Sylva, N.C. 28779, 828-586-0487
- Cullasaja Exon, 6241 Highlands Road, Franklin North Carolina, 828-369-5666
Alcohol is prohibited. Stationary paper targets or manufactured silhouette targets only, no bottles, cans or other breakable targets. Skeet shooting is prohibited. Anyone under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult. Pick up all brass and dispose of properly. Handle your firearm with care. All fire arms must be action open and unloaded when entering and exiting the range. No fully automatic weapons or archery. Shoot only at the firing line, do not shoot across range. Check with other shooters to be sure all firearms are unloaded and down before entering down range. No spectators allowed at shooting benches on the firing line while shooting occurs. No tracer or incendiary type ammunition allowed. No wheeled vehicles beyond concrete pad except individuals with disabilites in wheeled units.
Day Use:
$5 per person per day
$30 per person per annual
Daily permit fees are $5 per person. The annual permit cost is $30 per person. Note: Purchasing the annual permit will allow shooters to use all three ranges in Nantahala National Forest. Fee rules did not change for shooters under the age of 16. They are not required to have a permit, but must be accompanied by an adult and must provide identification, if asked.
Address: 90 Sloan Road Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: (828) 524-6441
Hours: (Mon - Fri) 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.nantahalard@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 35.16332254
Longitude: -83.59906949
Directions
From Franklin take 64 W for approximately 3 miles, turn right at Wayah Bald/ LBJ Job Corps sign. Turn left on SR 1310 at Loafer's Glory gas station and travel approximately 10 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 711 (It is 1.6 miles past Wayah Bald turnoff). Follow it 1.2 miles to the shooting range turnoff on the right. The range is 3/10 mile.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
