Dirty John Shooting Range

Range type

Firearms

Funding

Built or improved with federal Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) funds

Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service (Wildlife Restoration program), retrieved October 23, 2026. Details change; confirm with the range before you go.

Fees

Daily permit fees are $5 per person. The annual permit cost is $30 per person. Note: Purchasing the annual permit will allow shooters to use all three ranges in Nantahala National Forest. Fee rules did not change for shooters under the age of 16. They are not required to have a permit, but must be accompanied by an adult and must provide identification, if asked.

Rules

Alcohol is prohibited. Stationary paper targets or manufactured silhouette targets only, no bottles, cans or other breakable targets. Skeet shooting is prohibited. Anyone under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult. Pick up all brass and dispose of properly. Handle your firearm with care. All fire arms must be action open and unloaded when entering and exiting the range. No fully automatic weapons or archery. Shoot only at the firing line, do not shoot across range. Check with other shooters to be sure all firearms are unloaded and down before entering down range. No spectators allowed at shooting benches on the firing line while shooting occurs. No tracer or incendiary type ammunition allowed. No wheeled vehicles beyond concrete pad except individuals with disabilites in wheeled units.

Source: USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, retrieved October 23, 2026. Details change; confirm with the range before you go.