About Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club
Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club stands out as a comprehensive shooting facility that caters to everyone from casual shooters to competitive sport shooters. Situated on 140 acres of northeastern Arizona landscape, the club has established itself as a premier destination for serious shooting sports enthusiasts. What makes Rio Salado particularly exceptional is the integration of multiple distinct ranges - rifle, pistol, shotgun, and clay target - all within a single well-managed facility.
The facility’s infrastructure is built to professional standards. With 48 covered shooting benches equipped with target stands, the range extends from close quarters to 300 yards, accommodating everything from basic marksmanship development to long-distance precision shooting. The shotgun range features a 5-Stand trap facility with electronic voice activation and lighting, alongside their showcase 13-station sporting clays course. This diversity means you can develop skills across multiple disciplines without traveling between locations.
One of Rio Salado’s defining characteristics is its commitment to education and safety. The club partners with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to offer comprehensive training programs covering rifle, pistol, shotgun, and home firearms safety. Their hunter education programs have helped hundreds of Arizona sportspeople meet licensing requirements. Range safety officers are on-site during all operating hours, and the facility maintains AEDs and first aid kits for emergency situations.
The sporting clays course deserves special mention. With 13 stations, each offering four different shooting locations, the course provides nearly endless variation. Shooters encounter everything from realistic wing-shooting scenarios to bouncing targets to extreme angles. Many visitors note that returning to the same course still feels like a new experience because of the station variety and natural terrain features.
For competitive shooters, Rio Salado hosts divisions in High Power, Bullseye, Practical Pistol, Cowboy Action, Black Powder, and Rifle Silhouette - ensuring that whatever your shooting discipline, there’s a supportive community of competitors at the club. The facility’s professional operation and dedicated competition infrastructure have earned it respect throughout the Southwest shooting sports community.
The main limitation visitors should be aware of is the range’s operational schedule. Rio Salado operates on a structured 20-minute hot/cold format where everyone is on the line together, then clears for safety inspection and target retrieval. While this system is excellent for safety and fairness, it requires patience during busy periods. New shooters also need to complete a safety orientation video before their first visit.
Despite the operational structure, the value proposition remains strong. For a modest daily rate, you gain access to professional-grade facilities, knowledgeable staff, and a safe environment where safety culture is clearly paramount. Whether you’re developing basic marksmanship, training for hunting season, or pursuing competitive shooting sports, Rio Salado provides the infrastructure and community support to help you succeed.