Rhode Island's Only Free, Public Shooting Range Opens For 2023 Season

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Great Swamp Shooting Range in South Kingstown has officially opened for the 2023 season, officials with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) said Monday.

Great Swamp, the state's only free and public shooting range, offers clay and paper target shooting, as well as archery. This year, the facility extended its season, operating from April to Nov. 3. It is open seven days a week, including holidays.

Public access and shooting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Although the range is free to use, users must obtain a range permit beforehand.

"Our range supports the DEM Hunter Safety Education Program, which instructs hunters and sport shooters in the safe storage, transport, handling, and shooting of firearms and archery equipment," RI Division of Fish and Wildlife Chief Phil Edwards said. "Shooting accuracy and practice are critically important for ethical hunting and humane take of legally hunted game. Sighting in firearms, adjusting scopes, and simply practicing with targets are important and necessary steps to prepare for hunting."