7 Essential Facts About Purgatory Clay Target Sports: The Ultimate Utah Shooting Destination
Planning your next clay shooting adventure? As of late December 2025, Purgatory Clay Target Sports stands out as one of the premier destinations for enthusiasts across the Mountain West, offering a unique blend of challenging courses and a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere. This facility, often confused with the famous Colorado ski resort, is actually a distinct and exceptional venue located in the heart of Southern Utah, providing an unparalleled experience for both novice and expert shooters.
The latest updates confirm Purgatory Clay Target Sports is not only fully operational with state-of-the-art facilities but is also hosting major events, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier sporting clays venue. If you’re looking for fresh information on pricing, location, and what makes this range a must-visit, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve broken down the seven most essential facts you need to know before you plan your trip.
The Definitive Guide to Purgatory Clay Target Sports: Location, Offerings, and Community
Purgatory Clay Target Sports is a shining example of a successful, community-supported shooting facility. Its commitment to providing a top-quality, safe, and fun environment for the sport of clay shooting is evident in its operations and the sheer variety of targets it offers. Here is a detailed look at the core entities and offerings that define this unique destination.
1. Crucial Location Clarification: It’s in Utah, Not Colorado
One of the most common misconceptions is the location of this premier shooting complex. Despite the name, Purgatory Clay Target Sports is not associated with the Purgatory Resort near Durango, Colorado. Instead, it is centrally located in Southern Utah, specifically in Hurricane, Utah.
- Official Location: Southern Utah Shooting Sports Park, 5650 W 700 S, Hurricane, UT 84737.
- Accessibility: The park is just a short 15-minute drive from St. George, Utah.
- Regional Hub: Its location makes it an ideal destination for shooters traveling from Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and throughout the Greater Zion region.
Understanding the correct location is the first step in planning your visit to this renowned facility.
2. The Facilities: A Comprehensive Clay Target Complex
The complex is designed to cater to every discipline within clay target shooting, ensuring a dynamic and challenging experience for all skill levels. The range boasts modern, fully automated systems for maximum efficiency and enjoyment.
- Sporting Clays: The main attraction, featuring two fully automated sporting clay trails. The trails offer a spectacular 10-station course, utilizing the unique Southern Utah landscape for endless target presentations.
- Skeet Shooting: Two dedicated skeet fields are available.
- Trap Shooting: Four trap fields are set up, all equipped with voice commands for a smooth shooting experience.
- Five Stand: A challenging and fast-paced five stand course is also on-site, perfect for honing your quick-reaction skills.
Whether you prefer the simulated hunting scenarios of sporting clays or the precision of trap and skeet, Purgatory Clay Target Sports has you covered.
3. Unbeatable Value: Affordable, Volunteer-Run Operation
A key factor in the facility’s appeal is its commitment to affordability, which is made possible by its operational structure. Purgatory Clay Sports is run by an all-volunteer club and is open to the public.
- Non-Member Pricing: Non-members can shoot for a very reasonable fee, often cited at $8 per round.
- Member Benefits: Joining the club provides a significant discount, with members paying as low as $5 per round. Some sources even indicate range fees as low as $4.25 for 25 clays, highlighting the incredible value.
- Community Focus: The volunteer model ensures that the focus remains on the sport and the community, keeping range fees very affordable for everyone.
4. Upcoming Major Event: The 2025 Purgatory Clay Challenge
For competitive shooters, the most exciting recent update is the announcement of the 2025 Purgatory Clay Challenge, a major sporting clay tournament scheduled for early next year. This event draws top shooters from across the country.
- Tournament Date: March 1-2, 2025.
- Main Event: A challenging 200-Target Main Event with a $175.00 entry fee.
- Other Events: The tournament also includes a 100-Target SuperSport ($90.00) and a 100-Target C & D event.
- Significance: The tournament showcases the quality of the range and its ability to host large-scale, professional shooting competitions.
5. Seasonal Operating Hours for Optimal Shooting
The facility adjusts its hours seasonally to provide the best shooting conditions, especially during the hot Utah summers.
- Winter Hours (Labor Day through Memorial Day): 9 am to 3 pm.
- Summer Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day): 8 am to 1 pm.
- Volunteer Schedule: Since the club is volunteer-run, it’s always wise to check their official schedule for any last-minute changes before visiting.
6. The Sporting Clays Experience: Endless Target Presentations
What sets the sporting clays course apart is the way it utilizes the natural terrain of Southern Utah. This allows the range managers to create a massive variety of "target presentations"—the speed, angle, and height at which the clay targets are thrown.
- Terrain Advantage: The diverse landscape enables targets to simulate the flight of various game birds, making the shooting experience more realistic and challenging than a flat range.
- Target Variety: Shooters encounter everything from high overhead targets to fast-running rabbits, demanding a full range of shotgunning skills.
7. A Hub for Shooting Sports: Huntsman World Senior Games
Purgatory Clay Target Sports is recognized as a key venue for major regional events, underscoring its quality and capacity. It has been a host for the shotgun shooting events for the Huntsman World Senior Games, a significant multi-sport event. This association further validates its standing as a premier, high-quality target sports complex.
The continued updates and the scheduling of the 2025 tournament demonstrate that Purgatory Clay Target Sports remains a vibrant, growing, and essential destination for the clay shooting community. Its unique combination of world-class facilities, a dedicated volunteer team, and incredibly affordable pricing makes it a must-visit destination in the world of clay target shooting.
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