Target Shooting

Target Shooting Areas

• Nantahala National Forest

  Welcome to the Nantahala National Forest! The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The Forest is divided into three Districts, Cheoah in Robbinsville, NC, Tusquitee in Murphy, NC, and the Nantahala in Franklin, NC. All district names come from the Cherokee language. "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noon day sun," a fitting name for the Nantahala Gorge, where the sun only reaches to the valley floor at midday.The Nantahala National Forest was established in 1920 under authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act provided authority to acquire lands for national forests to protect watersheds, to provide timber, and to regulate the flow of navigable streams. In the Nantahala National Forest, visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities from whitewater rafting to camping. With over 600 miles of trails, opportunities exist for hikers, mountain bikers, horse-back riders and off-highway vehicle riders.

  Camping and Day-use Information

  Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Nantahala National Forest can be found here.

  Recreation Maps

  Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

  Be Safe

  The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

  Waterfall Safety for the Summer.

• Nantahala Ranger District

  The Nantahala Ranger District stretches 250,000 acres across Macon, Jackson and Swain counties offering a variety of recreational opportunities from camping to off-highway vehicle riding. This District is a diverse, rugged, and mountainous area with raging rivers, granite walls, and waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy the remoteness of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, a scenic drive along the Mountain Waters Byway or a view Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. The Nantahala is also home to four long distance trails, the Appalachian, Bartram, Foothills, and Mountains-to-Sea Trails. Come experience the outdoors and explore the Nantahala! Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828) 524-6441

• Dirty John Shooting Range
• Moss Knob Shooting Range
• Panther Top Shooting Range
• Appalachian Ranger District

  This page was last updated 09/29/2023

  Current Notes of Interest:

  • 9/28/2023- AT Shelter and Camping Temporary Prohibition from Tanyard Gap to Deep Gap from 5/11/2023 has been lifted. 
  • 9/29/2023- Roan Mountain Day Use Area, and the gate,is CLOSED for the 2023 season as of September 29, 2023.
  • 9/18/2023- Forest Product Permits (Galax, Firewood, etc...) will be unavailable the following dates due to end of year fiscal processing:
    • ​October 2-3
    • November 1-3
  • 6/15/2023 -MAX PATCH- FOREST CLOSURE ORDER NO. 08-11-04-23-160, effective until June 30, 2026. 
    • ​Max Patch USFS Page
    • Max Patch Closure Order Map
  • 4/14/2023- FOREST CLOSURE ORDER 08-00-00-23-02R, signed 4/14/2023, regulating food and refuse on USFS property. 
    • The purpose of this closure order is to reduce adverse interactions between humans and animals. It is prohibited to possess or store any food or refuse unless it is possessed properly or stored properly.
      • ​​Possessing or storing any food or refuse, as specified in the order. Click here to see the complete closure order. 
    • This includes any area located within 1,000 ft of the Appalachian Trail and its facilities. This closure is effective for a period of 2 years.
• Uwharrie National Forest

  Uwharrie National Forest is 51,546 acres in Montgomery, Randolph & Davidson Counties. Uwharrie National Forest map

  Ranger District Office, 789 Biscoe Road, Troy, NC 27371, (910) 576-6391, uwharrie@usda.gov. America the Beautiful Passes and USGS Topo maps for sale at https://store.usgs.gov/.

  Firewood permits available by phone and mail starting October 5 for $20. Call (910) 576-6391 and provide Name, Address, Mailing Address for permit, Phone Number, Driver's License or National ID Number, Payment (Money Order or check payable to: USDA Forest Service). After purchase is complete, we will mail permit, restricted areas map, and policies. This process is temporary until operations return to normal.

  Hunting

  Uwharrie NF is designated Game Lands and part of 2 million acres of public lands for public hunting, trapping and fishing managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The appropriate basic annual hunting license and Game Lands Privilege license is needed to hunt on Uwharrie NF. Seasons, bag limits, and special restrictions are in the  annual N.C. Inlands Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest.

  Camping & Day-use

  Picnic at a day-use area. Camp at developed campgrounds for a fee. See list  here. You can only camp for 14 days in a 30-day period at a developed campground or dispersed camping. Primitive dispersed camping is allowed except in those areas posted "No Camping" or a developed campground or day-use area. Find sites along most Forest Service roads and trails. Be careful with campfires and only use dead and down wood. Do not bring wood from outside the area to protect from invasive plants and insects. 

  Enjoy this story on a QR guided trail in the national forest.

  OHV Trail Vendors.

  • Badin Lake OHV Trails close December 15 at 8:00 am
  • OHV Trails will reopen April 1 in the morning
  • OHV annual passes are available from the Eldorado Outpost

  Flintlock Valley Shooting Range

  25-yard pistol and 100-yard rifle ranges open year-round Tuesdays through Saturdays including all Holidays on those days except Thanksgiving & Christmas. Passes required but  not sold on site and must be purchased in advance. Contact the office or vendors: Shooting Range Vendors.

  Be Safe

  We offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation. All outdoor recreational activities have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Your safety is your responsibility.

  Trail Strategy Documents, Presentations and Maps

  Badin Lake Area map, Morris Mountain Area map, North Eastern Portion map, South Eastern Portion map, Wood Run Area map

  Documents...

  Presentations...

   

• Flintlock Valley Shooting Range