Public Shooting Areas
Recreational shooting is generally allowed outside city limits on public land, including BLM, State, County, and Forest Service areas, as long as you follow safety and distance requirements.
You must be more than 200 yards from restricted areas listed in Utah County Code (see below) and must not shoot on or over a roadway.
These locations are commonly used but not formally maintained:
- South of Fairfield and west of Redwood Road (south of Saratoga Springs)
- Near mile marker 21 on SR-68 (the “clay pits”)
- Note: Some areas are closed due to heavy equipment and excessive trash—obey posted signs.
- Access roads leaving SR-68 (Redwood) heading west from mile markers 20, 17, and 4 leading to:
- Allen’s Ranch Road
- Broad Canyon
- Chimney Rock Road
- Elberta Slant Road
Each of these areas includes hills that may provide a suitable backstop. Always verify that land use is permitted and conditions remain safe.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office operates the Thistle Gun Range in Spanish Fork Canyon, open:
- Fridays: 5 PM–9 PM
- Saturdays: 9 AM–5 PM (June through October)
(Utah County Code 13-3-3)
You may not discharge a firearm within 600 feet of:
- A house or dwelling
- Any structure housing or feeding animals
- Orchards, standing crops, silos, vehicles, or farm equipment
Shooting is also prohibited:
- Inside all State Parks (unless specifically designated by the Division of Parks and Recreation (R651-603-5 Utah Administrative Code))
- Within 1 mile of State Park buildings, campgrounds, picnic areas, overlooks, golf courses, boat ramps, or developed beaches (rifles, handguns, muzzleloaders)
- Within ¼ mile of the above when using shotguns or archery equipment
Firearms may always be used at an approved shooting range during operating hours.