If you’ve spent any time looking for a place to shoot in the Platte Canyon area, you’ve likely heard someone mention the Harris Park shooting range. Or maybe you heard it referred to as the "Harris Park target area." Honestly, if you go looking for a sleek, paved facility with electronic target retrievers and a vending machine, you’re going to be pretty disappointed. This isn't that. It’s a rugged, high-altitude spot located within the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, and it’s become a bit of a lightning rod for local debate.
People around Bailey and Pine have a complicated relationship with it. It’s basically a designated area in the woods where you can legally discharge a firearm, provided you follow the rules of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). But here's the thing: it’s not an "official" range in the way a commercial one is. No RSO is standing behind you with a whistle. It’s wild.
What Actually Happens at the Harris Park Shooting Range
The location is tucked away off Highway 285, specifically along Forest Service Road 103. It's beautiful up there. You've got the scent of pine needles, crisp mountain air, and, usually, the rhythmic pop-pop of target practice. Most people come here because they want to sight in a rifle for elk season or just enjoy a Saturday plinking with a .22 without paying $25 an hour.
However, the "range" is really just a clear-cut area with a dirt backstop. Because it’s National Forest land, the rules are dictated by the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 36 CFR 261.58. You can't just shoot anywhere. You have to be at least 150 yards from any residence, building, campsite, or developed recreation site. You also can't shoot across a road or a body of water.
The reality on the ground is often messier than the regulations.
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The Trash Problem is Real
Go there on a Tuesday and it might look pristine. Go there on a Sunday afternoon after a holiday weekend? It’s a different story. One of the biggest issues facing the Harris Park shooting range area is the sheer amount of garbage left behind. It’s frustrating. People bring out old water heaters, TVs, and glass bottles to use as targets. They blast them into a thousand pieces and then just drive away.
This "trash shooting" is actually illegal, but enforcement in the middle of a national forest is tough. The USFS and local volunteer groups like the Colorado Shooting Sports Association often have to organize massive cleanup days just to keep the place from being shut down. If you’re going, please, just bring a cardboard box and some paper targets. Don't be that person leaving brass and broken glass in the dirt.
Why Locals Are Split on the Area
If you live in the Harris Park subdivision, your perspective on the range is probably different than if you’re a visitor from Denver. Noise is a huge factor. Sound carries differently in the mountains. A high-powered rifle shot can echo through the draws and canyons, making it sound like it’s right in someone’s backyard.
Safety is the other big concern. While the designated area has a backstop, there have been numerous reports over the years of "rogue" shooters setting up in spots that aren't safe. The Forest Service has actually had to implement "recreational shooting closures" in certain parts of the Pike National Forest because bullets were getting too close to hiking trails or private property.
Know the Specific Boundaries
It is incredibly easy to accidentally wander onto private land in this part of Colorado. The map looks like a checkerboard. The Harris Park shooting range area sits near the border of public and private property.
- Public Land: Open for shooting unless signed otherwise.
- Private Land: Strictly off-limits.
- Buffer Zones: Stay far away from the Mount Evans Wilderness boundary.
If you aren't using an app like OnX or Gaia GPS to see exactly where you are standing, you're taking a huge risk. Trespassing with a firearm is a fast way to get a heavy fine or have your gear confiscated.
The Fire Risk Nobody Should Ignore
We have to talk about fire. In the South Platte Ranger District, the fire danger can jump from "Moderate" to "Extreme" in a single afternoon. Tannerite and tracer rounds are the enemies here. They are strictly prohibited on National Forest land.
I’ve seen folks out there who think a little bit of exploding target fun won't hurt anything because the dirt is damp. That's how forest fires start. When the Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire restrictions kick in—which happens almost every summer now—recreational shooting is often the first thing to be restricted or banned entirely. You need to check the USFS Alerts and Notices page before you even pack your range bag.
How to Actually Use the Range Without Getting Fined
If you're going to head up there, do it right. First, aim for a weekday morning. It’s quieter, safer, and you won’t be fighting for a spot at the "good" backstop.
Second, check your backdrop. A "hill" isn't always a backstop. It needs to be steep, free of rocks (to prevent ricochets), and tall enough to catch any flyers. Shooting into a dense stand of trees is not safe. Bullets can pass through trunks or skip off branches in weird directions.
Third, the gear. Bring a real target stand. Don't nail things to trees. It kills the trees, and it’s a violation of forest regulations regarding the destruction of natural resources. A simple PVC pipe stand or even a heavy-duty cardboard box weighted with rocks works perfectly fine.
Dealing with the "Wild West" Atmosphere
Sometimes, the Harris Park shooting range gets a little rowdy. You might encounter people who aren't practicing the four pillars of gun safety. If you see someone being reckless—sweeping the line with their muzzle or shooting while people are downrange—just leave. It’s not worth a confrontation, and it’s certainly not worth the risk of an accident.
There is no formal "ceasefire" called by a loudspeaker. You have to communicate with the other shooters. A simple "Hey, can we go cold to reset targets?" usually works, but you have to be vocal and alert.
Better Alternatives Nearby?
If the chaos of a public forest spot isn't your vibe, there are other options, though they require a bit more driving or a membership. The Buffalo Creek area used to be popular, but many spots there have seen increased restrictions.
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Some folks prefer the more "established" feel of the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area up on the Pawnee National Grassland, but that’s a haul from Harris Park. If you want a controlled environment, you're looking at driving back down toward Lakewood or Littleton to an indoor range like Bristol Cone or similar facilities. But for that authentic mountain air and long-distance capability, the Harris Park area remains the go-to for many.
Essential Checklist for Your Visit
Don't just wing it. The mountains are unforgiving.
- Communication: Cell service is spotty. Tell someone where you’re going.
- Weather: It can be 70 degrees in Bailey and snowing at the shooting area. Bring layers.
- Cleanup: Bring a trash bag. Take your targets, your brass (if you can), and maybe pick up one extra piece of trash that isn't yours.
- Legal: Ensure your firearms are transported legally. In Colorado, that means no rounds in the chamber of long guns while in the vehicle.
The Harris Park shooting range is a privilege, not a right. The Forest Service has the authority to shut these areas down permanently if the resource damage—meaning the trash and the tree death—gets too high. We've seen it happen in other parts of the Front Range. Keeping this spot open depends entirely on the people who use it.
Actionable Steps for a Successful Trip
To ensure you have a safe trip and help keep the area open for everyone, follow these specific steps:
- Verify the Status: Call the South Platte Ranger District office at (303) 275-5610 before you drive up. Ask specifically about fire restrictions and any recent target shooting closures.
- Download Offline Maps: Use an app to download the parcel data for the Harris Park area so you can see private property lines even when you lose cell signal.
- Pack a Shovel and Water: Not just for the "bathroom," but for fire safety. If a spark catches, you need to be able to douse it immediately.
- Use Paper Only: Avoid clay pigeons, glass, or plastic jugs. Paper targets on a self-supporting stand are the gold standard for forest shooting.
- Leave it Better: Spend five minutes at the end of your session picking up spent shells—even the ones you didn't fire. It goes a long way with the locals and the rangers.
Respect the land, respect the neighbors, and keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction. That’s basically all it takes to make sure the Harris Park area stays a viable place for target practice for years to come.