If you’re driving up the 15 freeway toward the Cajon Pass, you’ve probably seen the signs. Or maybe you just heard the distant, rhythmic pop-pop-pop echoing off the canyon walls. Tucked away right off the historic Mother Road, the Route 66 Shooting Sports Park Cajon Boulevard San Bernardino CA is one of those places that feels like a vestige of an older California. It’s rugged. It’s windy. It is undeniably loud.
Most people stumble upon it because they’re looking for a place to zero a rifle or finally try out that shotgun they bought three years ago and never touched. But there’s a specific vibe here that you don't get at the polished, indoor ranges in Orange County or LA. It’s dusty. You’re outside. You are dealing with the elements, which, honestly, is how shooting is supposed to be.
Located at 15810 Cajon Blvd, the facility sits on a massive footprint of San Bernardino County land. It’s managed through a public-private partnership, which basically means it has the scale of a county park but the operational hustle of a private business. It isn't just a patch of dirt with some targets; it’s a highly structured environment that manages to feel wide open.
Why Cajon Boulevard is the Perfect (and Most Annoying) Location
The location is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you’re shooting in a literal canyon. It’s beautiful. On the other hand, the wind through the pass can be brutal. If you’re trying to do precision long-range work, the Cajon Pass winds will humble you real quick.
You’ve got the San Bernardino Mountains as your backdrop. It feels isolated, even though you’re just a few minutes away from the suburban sprawl of Rosena Ranch and Devore. Because it’s situated on Cajon Boulevard—the old Route 66—there’s a bit of nostalgia baked into the drive. You pass the old diners and the rail lines before turning into the park.
Access is straightforward. You take the Kenwood Ave exit off the I-15 or the I-215. It’s right there. But don't let the proximity to the freeway fool you into thinking it's a quick "in and out" type of place. On weekends, the line to get a bench can be long. Like, "go get a coffee and come back" long.
Breaking Down the Ranges: Not All Benches are Equal
The park is divided into several distinct areas. You have the member side and the public side. If you're a casual visitor, you’re heading to the public line.
The Steel Gallery
This is arguably the most fun you can have with a handgun or a rimfire rifle. They have a massive array of steel reactive targets. Hearing that ping is way more satisfying than poking holes in paper. It’s a great spot for beginners because the feedback is instant. You hit it, it moves, you smile.
The Pistol Range
Standard paper target setups. Usually 7 to 25 yards. It’s where you go to work on the fundamentals. The RSOs (Range Safety Officers) here are pretty vigilant. Some people find them "intense," but honestly, when you have a hundred strangers with loaded firearms in one place, you want the staff to be a little bit on edge.
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The Rifle Ranges
They offer distances out to 100 yards for the general public. If you want to go further, you usually need to be part of a specific event or have a membership that grants access to the long-range steel. The benches are solid concrete. They don't wobble. That's a huge plus for anyone trying to group shots tightly.
Shotgun and Trap/Skeet
This is where Route 66 Shooting Sports Park really shines compared to smaller local ranges. They have dedicated areas for clay shooting. Whether you’re a seasoned trap shooter or just someone who wants to see if they can hit a moving orange disk, the setup is professional. They use automated throwers, so you aren't stuck out there with a plastic hand-thrower getting a shoulder cramp.
The Safety Culture: What to Expect
Let’s be real. Some gun ranges feel like the Wild West. This isn’t one of them. The Route 66 Shooting Sports Park Cajon Boulevard San Bernardino CA runs a tight ship.
When you arrive, you’ll go through a safety briefing if it’s your first time or if it’s been a while. They check your bags. They check your ammo. No, you cannot shoot green-tip penetrators or incendiary rounds. The fire risk in the Cajon Pass is astronomical. One spark on a dry July afternoon could take out half the canyon. They take this seriously.
- Cold Range Status: When the lights go red and the bells ring, everything stops.
- Action Open: Your bolts must be back, magazines out, and hands off the firearms.
- The Line: You do not cross the yellow line while the range is cold. Period.
If you’re the type of person who dislikes being told what to do, you might find the RSOs abrasive. But their job is to make sure nobody goes home in an ambulance. Most of the guys out there are veterans or retired law enforcement. They’ve seen it all, and they’ve definitely seen people do stupid things with firearms. Listen to them.
Costs, Gear, and the "Hidden" Fees
Shooting is an expensive hobby. There's no way around it.
Entry fees hover around $20 to $30 for a day pass, depending on whether you’re a local resident or coming from out of town. That’s actually pretty reasonable for an all-day stay. However, the costs add up elsewhere. Targets are a few bucks each. If you didn't bring your own ear protection or eye pro, you’ll be buying or renting it at the shop.
The pro shop on-site is surprisingly well-stocked. They have ammo, though prices are "convenience store" prices. You’re paying for the fact that you didn't stop at Turner’s or Bass Pro on the way in. They also have a decent selection of rentals. If you’ve been eyeing a specific Glock or a Sig, this is a great place to test drive one before dropping $600 at a dealer.
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A pro tip for the budget-conscious: Bring your own stapler. And extra staples. The range provides them, but finding one that actually works and isn't out of staples is like finding a unicorn on a Saturday afternoon.
Dealing with the San Bernardino Weather
You need to dress for a construction site, not a mall.
In the summer, it hits 100 degrees easily. The sun bounces off the dirt and the concrete benches, cooking you from both sides. There is some shade, but not enough to save you if you’re there at 2:00 PM in August. Bring a gallon of water. Wear a hat. Use sunscreen.
In the winter, the wind chill in the Cajon Pass is no joke. The wind rips through that canyon at 30+ mph. Your targets will flap, your eyes will water, and your fingers will get numb. Layer up.
Also, wear closed-toe shoes. This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people show up in flip-flops. Hot brass down a sandal is a recipe for a very bad day (and a safety violation when you start hopping around with a gun in your hand).
Membership vs. Public Access
If you live in the Inland Empire and shoot more than once a month, the membership is a no-brainer.
Members get their own dedicated bays. This is the "secret sauce" of Route 66. These private or semi-private bays allow you to do things you can't do on the public line, like drawing from a holster or moving while shooting (within safety limits). It’s where the competitive shooters—the USPSA and IDPA types—hang out.
For the general public, you’re restricted to the static line. You sit. You shoot. You wait for the cold range. It’s fine for zeroing a rifle, but if you want to actually "train," the membership is the way to go.
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The Social Aspect: Who Goes There?
The crowd is a complete melting pot. You’ll see guys in full "tactical" gear that costs more than my first car. You’ll see families teaching their kids how to shoot a .22 rifle. You’ll see older couples who have been shooting trap together for forty years.
It’s a friendly environment for the most part. People like to talk shop. If you see someone shooting something interesting, a polite "Hey, what is that?" usually leads to a ten-minute conversation.
The park also hosts events. They do "Steel Challenge" matches and various clinics. If you’re looking to get into competitive shooting, this is one of the primary hubs in Southern California. The community is welcoming, provided you follow the rules.
Common Misconceptions About the Park
"It’s just a dirt pit."
No. It’s a highly regulated, multimillion-dollar facility. It has bathrooms (actual ones, not just port-a-potties), a shop, and a structured layout.
"You can shoot whatever you want."
Absolutely not. Rapid fire is generally discouraged on the public line. No armor-piercing rounds. No "binary triggers" unless specifically cleared. They have a reputation to maintain with the county, and they won't risk their permit for your 30-round mag dump.
"It’s always crowded."
Tuesday mornings are ghost towns. If you can swing a weekday trip, you’ll have the place to yourself. Saturdays at noon? Forget about it. You’ll be waiting for a bench like it’s a table at a trendy brunch spot.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out to the Route 66 Shooting Sports Park Cajon Boulevard San Bernardino CA, don't just wing it.
- Check the Website First: They post closures for private events or high-wind warnings. There is nothing worse than driving an hour only to find the range is closed due to Red Flag fire conditions.
- Pre-load Your Magazines: You pay for time and space. Don't spend forty minutes of your range time thumbing rounds into a mag. Do it at home the night before.
- Bring a Range Bag: Keep your firearms unloaded and cased until you are at your assigned bench. This is the number one thing people mess up, and it’s the quickest way to get a lecture from an RSO.
- Pack a Lunch: There isn't much to eat in the immediate vicinity unless you want to drive back down to San Bernardino or up to Hesperia. There’s a small snack bar, but a sandwich in your cooler is a better bet.
- Clean Your Gear After: The dust at Cajon Boulevard is fine and invasive. It gets into every crevice of your firearm. Give your guns a good wipe down and oiling as soon as you get home.
The Route 66 Shooting Sports Park is a staple of the SoCal shooting community for a reason. It offers a level of freedom and variety that you simply can't find at an indoor facility. Whether you’re there to prep for hunting season or just to blow off some steam hitting steel, it’s a solid way to spend a Saturday—as long as you don't mind a little wind and a lot of dust.