Range profile
Lee Kay Public Shooting Range
The short version
Lee Kay Public Shooting Range is a year-round, state-operated outdoor facility in Salt Lake City offering affordable rifle, handgun, shotgun, archery, and muzzleloader ranges alongside Hunter Education classes, shooting clinics, and dog training grounds.
The hits
- Low-cost access with $6 adult day passes, inexpensive targets, and multi-visit punch cards
- Broad discipline coverage including archery, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, and shotgun at distances up to 300 yards
- Strong safety culture and structured environment frequently recommended for beginners, families, and youth
- Supplementary offerings such as Hunter Education, shooting clinics, dog training grounds, and on-site club partnerships
- Year-round outdoor operation with organized range layouts and credit card acceptance
The misses
- Restricted schedule with midweek closures, early Sunday shutdown at 1 p.m., mandatory check-in one hour before closing, and holiday closures
- Limitations on advanced training methods, including prohibitions on draws and rapid fire, plus reported inconsistency in rule enforcement
- Weekend congestion and mixed reports regarding staff demeanor, with some visitors describing range officer interactions as unwelcoming or overly strict
About Lee Kay Public Shooting Range
Lee Kay Public Shooting Range sits at 6000 W 2100 S in Salt Lake City as a full-service outdoor facility owned and operated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Seven ranges stay open year-round, covering archery, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, and shotgun disciplines, while the property also hosts Hunter Education courses, shooting clinics, and dog training grounds. Local clubs including Apex West Clays, the Utah Skeet Shooting Association, and Valley Clays operate on-site, creating a busy but structured environment that serves everyone from first-time shooters to seasoned hunters.
The setup is notably comprehensive. Pistol bays offer targets from 7.5 to 25 yards, small-bore rifle lanes run 25 to 75 yards, and large-bore positions stretch to 100, 200, and 300 yards. Archers can shoot from 10 to 100 yards. Shotgun enthusiasts have access to trap, skeet, and five-stand layouts. Admission costs $6 for adults and $3 for youth 15 and under, with 10-visit passes priced at $50 and $20. Firearm targets are $0.25 each, and shotgun rounds cost $6.50 for trap or skeet and $8.50 for five-stand. Credit cards are accepted, and guests must check in at least one hour before closing.
Visitors regularly highlight the facility as clean, safe, and well organized. Volunteers and range staff are often described as patient and clear when explaining rules or teaching beginners, making the venue a common choice for families, youth groups, and hunters sighting new firearms. The strict safety briefings and low entry fees reinforce an atmosphere that prioritizes accessible education over high-volume throughput.
Operating hours are limited. The range opens Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., extends shotgun and archery hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday, runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with full closure on state and federal holidays. Because the facility is entirely outdoors, visitors should expect weather exposure. Several guests note that weekend afternoons can become crowded. Feedback also indicates that restrictions on draws and rapid fire may limit utility for advanced defensive training, and rule enforcement occasionally feels inconsistent from one visit to the next. While many characterize staff as welcoming, others report interactions with range officers that come across as abrupt or overly scrutinizing, particularly toward younger shooters.
Recurring feedback
What visitors consistently mention
- Staff and volunteer competence: Visitors often credit employees with being knowledgeable, patient, and safety-focused, though a recurring minority reports encounters perceived as gruff, inconsistent, or disproportionately strict toward younger guests
- Facility suitability for beginners and families: The clean, organized environment and low cost are repeatedly associated with positive first-time experiences, youth archery practice, and family outings
- Operational constraints: Limited weekday and weekend hours, holiday closures, and outdoor weather exposure are commonly noted practical limitations, with weekend crowding flagged as a frequent inconvenience
- Range rules and enforcement: Appreciation for strict safety protocols exists alongside criticism that restrictions on advanced drills and inconsistent application of rules can create a variable experience between visits