About SCDNR James O. Thomason Firing Range
James O. Thomason Firing Range sits on Foster Mill Circle in Spartanburg, operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as a supervised outdoor facility open to the public at no charge. The range supports multiple disciplines across dedicated spaces: a 25-yard pistol range with nine positions, a 100-yard rifle range with five positions, and a 200-yard rifle range with ten positions. Sporting clays are also available, making the property useful for shotgunners as well as handgun and long-gun shooters who need to zero optics or practice marksmanship.
Access comes with clear ground rules. Visitors must supply their own paper targets, target stands, and mandatory eye and ear protection. Target stands must be wood or plastic - no metal - and sized to hold the bottom of the target at least 40 inches and no more than 60 inches above the ground. The range does not rent or sell firearms, ammunition, or accessories, so self-sufficiency is essential. Anyone under 16 must remain under the direct supervision of an adult at all times, and the facility maintains a safety culture where officers actively monitor all firing lines.
Operating hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with closures on Sundays, Mondays, state holidays, and the Tuesday following any Monday holiday. An SCDNR officer or volunteer is present during open hours to monitor safety, and source material indicates that range officers regularly walk the line, check setup, and assist newcomers with equipment questions and sighting guidance. Amenities on hand include public-use rifle rests, spotting scopes, and a limited number of loaner target stands. Target hanging systems vary by bay; the rifle ranges feature a wire fence system at the far end for attaching paper targets, while the pistol area provides individual target stands per lane.
The overall experience is repeatedly described as safe, clean, and notably calm for a public facility. Reviews frequently cite the professionalism of the staff, who are characterized as knowledgeable, approachable, and willing to help beginners zero optics or learn range protocol without the intimidation factor sometimes associated with commercial ranges. The outdoor Spartanburg County setting contributes to a relaxed atmosphere that accommodates families, law enforcement, military veterans, and recreational shooters alike.
Limitations are documented in the source material. Rapid fire is prohibited on all SCDNR ranges, and practical drills or fast-paced shooting are not accommodated. A subset of feedback notes that rule enforcement can feel abrupt to visitors unfamiliar with protocol, particularly around parking restrictions and target-stand requirements. The range is also the closest public facility to some nearby communities, such as Simpsonville, which can concentrate demand during peak weekend hours.