Venue · Phoenix, Arizona
Ben Avery Shooting Facility: events and weekly regulars in Phoenix, AZ
Ben Avery Shooting Facility, at 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd in Phoenix, Arizona, is Arizona Game and Fish's public range and, per the department, one of the nation's largest publicly operated shooting facilities. It is a drive from Prescott, so check the day first: walk right in, book ahead or, on a Monday, drive straight home.
Map and directions (opens in a new tab) · Website of Ben Avery Shooting Facility (opens in a new tab)
Where is Ben Avery Shooting Facility?
The address says Phoenix and the map says north of the city, just off I-17 at Exit 223 on Carefree Highway. On-site camping, reserved for shooters, means the drive home can wait until morning.
What usually happens at Ben Avery Shooting Facility?
- Tuesday through Friday, just show up. First come, first served on the main ranges. Book only the morning off.
- Weekends run on reservations. Book 90-minute slots at least 24 hours ahead. Walk-ins depend on space; coming from Prescott, don't.
- Steel and distance keep their own calendars. The Frank DeSomma Memorial steel-target range opens most Fridays through Sundays and the 100-300 yard range most weekends, both by reservation. Steel has the decency to ring when you hit it, and 300 yards leaves room to blame your scope.
This month (November): ASRPA Arizona Defense Match State Championship, Arizona State 600 Yard Championship.
A little history
Ben Avery and fellow outdoors activists started the facility in the 1950s to give the public a safe place to shoot. Its rifle and pistol range is a City of Phoenix Point of Pride and the first government facility with a five-star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges. Put your drive from Prescott in perspective: in 1970 the world came here for the ISSF World Shooting Championships.
Insider tip
Allow 30 extra minutes if you need targets or eye and ear protection, and arrive with firearms cased. Children under 5 cannot go on any range, and under-16s need a responsible adult. On the main ranges, last check-in is an hour before closing: 2 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is a long way from Prescott to a closed range.
The basics
- Address: 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85086
- Phone: 623-582-8313
- Hours: Main pistol and rifle ranges: Mon closed; Tue-Wed 7 AM to 3 PM; Thu-Fri 7 AM to 7 PM; Sat 7 AM to 7 PM, reservations required; Sun 7 AM to 5 PM, reservations required. Hours vary by range and may change for holidays, staff shortages or severe weather.
- Website: azgfd.com/shooting-sports/ben-avery-shooting-facility
- Updated: Nov 4, 2026
Weekend slots want 24 hours' notice, and our free weekly email arrives with a day to spare: Send me Thursday's picks.
Coming up at Ben Avery Shooting Facility
2 events, Off-road and rangeOut of town
The Arizona Defense Match crowns its state champions at Ben Avery Shooting Facility on W Black Canyon Blvd, 8 AM to noon Saturday. Competitors only, $30 entry. Steady nerves, safety first, every stage.
- When
- Sat, Nov 7, 8 AM to 12 PM
- Cost
- Competitor match; $30 entry; 8 AM to noon
- Where
- Ben Avery Shooting Facility, 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85086
, Off-road and rangeOut of town
Long-range shooters compete for the state 600-yard title at Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, 9 AM Sat, Nov 14. $90 both days or $50 per day, juniors free. Eyes and ears on.
- When
- Sat, Nov 14, 9 AM
- Cost
- Competitor match Nov 14-15; $90 both days or $50 per day; juniors free; entries close Nov 9
- Where
- Ben Avery Shooting Facility, 4044 W Black Canyon Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85086
Know when Ben Avery Shooting Facility has something on. The weekend, every Thursday.
Free, every Thursday. The Quad Cities: Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt, picked by a local.
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