National Forests close to Denver

[Scooter650]

Hello all-
We are new to shooting in Colorado and wondered if there are places you can shoot near Denver. We have been to a couple of ranges, but looking to just shoot outdoors for fun. I know that there was a place in Left Hand Canyon, but it has been ruined and closed. Anywhere in the National Forests close?

[rondog]

You might want to be a little more specific as to what area you live in. The "Denver area" covers a helluva lot of territory. I know some good places, but you might not want to drive 2 hours.

[Scooter650]

Sorry, we are in north Denver, up near Thornton and Broomfield. I would be looking for something from Longmont down to I-70 ideally.

[Marlin]

Our North spot is just west of Lyons on 7.. It's just east of the intersection of 7 and 72.. There is a call box directly acroos the road from it..

[cowxguy]

Idaho Springs there is a spot past the indian hot springs - go all the way to the top, then park your vehicle in the parking lot at the top and walk up the trail about 1/4 mile. Unless you have a 4x4, then you can just drive up the trail.


Empire - Take a right on Main street, go up the road until you see a for to the left. This is a 4x4 trail. At the top is a great place to shoot. Ive been there alot lately.


I also know of a few more places near empire/Georgetown that are good too.

[charl49]

The site at Lefthand Canyon is open, looks like they moved it farther up. Just guessing as I wasn't there prior.

It deffinately is disgusting. Doesn't look like anyone picks up after themselves. [Rant1]

A small group of us went up at Lunchtime on Thursday. We packed out a large garbage bag of shotgun shells just from the immediate area we were in.

[Fal Grunt]

Idaho Springs there is a spot past the indian hot springs - go all the way to the top, then park your vehicle in the parking lot at the top and walk up the trail about 1/4 mile. Unless you have a 4x4, then you can just drive up the trail.


Empire - Take a right on Main street, go up the road until you see a for to the left. This is a 4x4 trail. At the top is a great place to shoot. Ive been there alot lately.


I also know of a few more places near empire/Georgetown that are good too.

Im a new member and I also just moved out to colorado recently. I usually shoot at Harris Park in the forest there, but am looking for new places to shoot.

If you could give me more detail about the Empire and Idaho Springs locations I would appreciate it. If any of them have near by 4x4 trails that is an added bonus!

thanks

-myers

[Fal Grunt]

I'm gonna say that the range north of Empire is no longer open. I went up main street until it turned into North Empire road and drove to the fork. Directly in front of the fork there was a tall chain link fence, marked:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e353/falgrunt/Picture1020.jpg
to the left there was:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e353/falgrunt/Picture1021.jpg
and thankfully to the right:

So it wasn't a wasted trip. Being by myself I didn't want to get too high up on the trails so I eventually turned around, great view, and some casual 4 wheeling.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e353/falgrunt/Picture1017.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e353/falgrunt/Picture1018.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e353/falgrunt/Picture1019.jpg

Anywhere else to go shooting on public land?

-myers

[gnihcraes]

Our North spot is just west of Lyons on 7.. It's just east of the intersection of 7 and 72.. There is a call box directly acroos the road from it..

I like the lyons spot, not hard to get too. I need to get up there and clean some in the near future... couple more weekends maybe I can make a trip.

FYI - watch the speed limits, lyons police were all over town with laser radar - tracking those entering and exiting lyons...

kc.

[Fal Grunt]

I thought about the Lyons and the Empire place. I decided the Empire place because I could 4wheel.

Lyons is farther away than Harris Park and I can shoot all day at Harris park and when I am done make a quick circuit through the trails.

Hopefully i'll be at a club shoot here soon, though.

Waiting on Sarco to get an upper in.

-myers

[a77ssii]

Spoke with the USFS and basically they are looking for a reason to shut down our shooting area here in Harris Park. I live 15 minutes from it and have hauled out a full 8' pickup bed of junk many times. If you go back there please at least bring out a trash bag of crap so we can keep it open, I do shoot on my property occasionally but don't really want to have to build a full blown berm which is what I'll have to do if they close it. Also, Park County is pushing the Deputies to crack down on ATV's within our development so beware if you ride one back here.

[Fal Grunt]

The school club I am a memeber of regularly cleans a LARGE amount of trash out of Harris Park. It is sad to see the amount of trash that accumulates up there. Personally, I think if the FS thinks it is a problem, they should cite people that leave the refrigerators and piles or trash laying around.

Course... I don't mean to offend you, but I have the feeling that it is an impromptu dumping ground for alot of the locals.

-myers

[wolffo]

the more people that do it the more it seems acceptable to walk away from piles of shotgun shells, cardboard boxes, bsass, paper targets, TVs etc...

we are our own worst enemies and we will continue to lose spots to shoot

if other shooters see you picking up afterwards maybe they will too

spread the word, set an example, talk it up, ask other to help you fill your truck, trash bags etc...do it with a smile

[Tim]

Anyone mind helping me figure out where Harris Park is? I promise I will clean up if I go!

I have lived in Co for almost 9 years and can't ever find the cool places........

Geez. I am taking the Son Unit to his first shooting practice tomorrow likely at North site. I haven't been there but looks interesting. Harris park sounds closer and possibly better for a rain shortened day. Oh yeah, firing up the AR for the first time.

Thanks,
Tim