San Bernardino National Forest

The San Bernardino National Forest developed a Forest-wide shooting plan in 1999 that allows people to enjoy recreational shooting.   Please call your local Ranger Station for detailed maps and current information.

General conditions for target shooting

Fire Use Restrictions & Guidelines

• Important - Shooters must call ahead to the local Ranger Station nearest to their preferred shooting area, to find out the Forest Use Guidelines (Activity Levels) for that particular day.
   
• Activity Levels describe the daily fire danger of forest fuels, based on weather observation. Each day a predicted activity level is obtained at 4:30 pm for the following day. Observed and predicted wind speed, humidity, and the moisture content of forest fuels are measured to obtain the activity level. The activity level is identified by a scale of 1 - 5. The higher the activity level, the greater the danger of forest fires.
  
    Shooting will be allowed all day during activity levels 1 & 2.
    Shooting will closed at 1:00 pm during activity level 3.
    Shooting will be closed all day during activity levels 4 & 5.
   
• The San Bernardino National Forest may be closed to all target shooting during periods of high fire danger.  This temporary closure will be on a day-to-day basis depending upon the predicted level of fire activity. 
   
• It is your responsibility to know the fire restrictions which are in effect each day you plan to shoot.
   

Ammunition, Firearms and Targets

• Target Shooting rules apply to firearms, air rifles and gas guns.  This includes devices used in recreational Paintball activities.
   
• Shooters are prohibited from destroying any natural feature on the National Forest, including plants and trees.
   
• Shooters shall not use paintballs or other forms of ammunition that would result in visible residue except where authorized in ranges that operate under special-use permit.
   
• Steel core, armor piercing or Teflon ammunition is not permitted.
   
• You may only shoot at a target which is dirt, paper, wood, clay pigeon, or a metal spinning/knockdown target.   Pick up your targets when you are done.
   
•  Firearms must not be discharged within 150 yards of any developed area such as roads, trails, campgrounds, bodies of water, etc.
  
   

Target shooting is only allowed in designated sites - Areas with designated sites for target shooting

• Forest Road 1N09 East of Highway 330 - Closed to motorized vehicles.
   
• Forest Road 3N14 North of Highway 38 - Closed due to Butler 2 Fire
   
• Forest Road 2N02 East of Baldwin Lake Road - Open
   
• Forest Road 2N93 Lighting Gulch - Closed, seasonal winter closure
   
• Forest Road 5S07 North of Highway 74 - Open
   
• The San Jacinto Ranger District has general forest areas open to target shooting, call the Ranger Station for locations - Open

Forest Adventure Pass is required.

 

Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit

• Arrowhead Fish & Game (909-337-3310)  Membership required, call for information.
   
• Big Bear Valley Sportsman's Club (909-585-4686) open Saturdays and Sundays and designated Mondays.
   
• Lytle Creek Firing Line (909-782-7438) is a developed shooting site offering year-round target shooting for visitors.