Portland, Oregan is known for its hipster, liberal and famously “weird” environment. But it’s also a place for any “weird” (or perfectly normal) archers to come shoot with their beloved bows!
With all the things that Portland has to offer for the avid archer, there are so many great places for you to go shoot! The Portland area has a surprising amount of places for you and your bow to adventure to in its vicinity.
So if you’re in Portland to partake of the officially “weird” culture, or try some of Portland’s sumptuous wine or go on an art expedition, you should also try going to the 8 best archery ranges available there!
Although Portland might be considered weird, these places are definitely the good kind of weird.
1. Broken Arrow Archery
This particular range was a recommendation from a Portland native who used to go there frequently with her dad growing up. Although the store is officially in an area called Milwaukie, it’s still very close to central Portland and is only a twenty-minute drive away from the city.
This particular archery range also has a pro shop attached to it, so if you need any assistance or advice from professionals, they’re right there to help you!
The archery range itself is an indoor range that has 15 lanes in total, ranging in about 20 yards in length. In addition to the regular indoor lane, Broken Arrow Archery also has a Dart Target System course that is a simulation of bowhunting, so that when you shoot your target, it looks like you’re shooting a live target!
This shop has fees that apply to a daily pass for the ranges and sells annual and monthly passes for those who are interested in going more frequently. They also host a variety of different tournaments and events! Be sure to check it out!
2. The Bow Rack
The Bow Rack is another pro-shop and archery range facility, located in Springfield, OR, which is about a two-hour drive from Portland. In business since the ’70s, the Bow Rack’s employees are seasoned archers that can help you with all of your archery needs.
The range is an indoor range, and shooting distances range from 20 to 40 yards. There are plenty of lanes available for people to use, and if that’s not enough for you, the Bow Rack also has TechnoHunt, which is a bowhunting simulation that allows you to practice bowhunting like its the real thing.
The Bow Rack also has several shooting leagues and events that you can join if you’re interested in competitive archery. One-on-one lessons for every type of archery are also available, and rental equipment is open for a purchase of $15 per person.
Another fantastic archery range and pro shop, the Bow Rack is guaranteed to satisfy you and all archers itching to shoot!
3. Dewclaw Archery
Found in Medford, Oregon, about an hour away from Portland, Dewclaw Archery is a fantastic facility for beginners to start learning how to shoot like an Olympian!
Dewclaw Archery specializes in teaching lessons to budding archers and advanced archers alike, and they teach every type of archery at their facility. They teach one-on-one lessons, group lessons, as well as classes. For more information on their classes, contact them at their website to set up appointments or find out more.
The archery range at Dewclaw Archery consists of 20-yard paper targets and can hold up to seven archers at one time. There are two at the facility, one recently built, and the fee for these lanes is $7 per hour.
Dewclaw Archery also has TechnoHunt! Wildly popular, you can practice your bowhunting here with a high-tech simulation as well!
If you are new to the sport and need some help getting started, stop by Dewclaw Archery!
4. Archers Afield
Archers Afield, located in Tigard, a 30-minute drive from Portland, this facility is a really big one! Archers Afield has three separate ranges to choose from, making it a total of 43 lanes for archers to shoot at!
In addition to a pro shop, Archers Afield offers their services for birthdays, group parties, company parties, etc. They have a host of different lessons at one’s disposal to sign up for, including beginners lessons, instructor certification, courses, and private lessons!
The archery ranges are 20 yards in length, and the newest range has 20 lanes that can be used day or night, at any time! The other two ranges are for lessons and group lessons or parties.
In addition to tournaments, shooting leagues, cosmic archery, and more, Archers Afield has so much to choose from and so many fun things to do!
5. xXx Archery
Only an hour away from Portland, in Rainer, OR, xXx Archery is one of the best archery shops in all of the Portland area. Full services such as a pro shop, beginner lessons, and a fully loaded indoor range, xXx Archery blows other places out of the water.
xXx Archery is actually famous for their bowstrings as well! They are some of the best, and if you’re looking for a new bowstring or something to try out, try one of these!
Their indoor range is 20 yards in length and has 14 lanes for archers to shoot from. All bow styles are welcome, but broadhead arrows are banned. A daily fee costs $5 per person and $10 per hour for what? TECHNOHUNT.
Yes, we’re beginning to see a pattern. Well, that’s because TechnoHunt is awesome. Especially if you want to try out bowhunting or brush up on your skills.
xXx Archery has so much to offer, and it will not disappoint!
6. G4 Archery
G4 Archery is another awesome archery range and pro shop combo, and their services are superb! Found in Hillsboro, OR, about 40 minutes away from Portland proper, this range is not for stick-in-the-mud archers!
The store is fully equipped with all the services you may need. Custom modifications, bow tune-ups, arrow building, repairs, lessons, events, etc., etc. The list goes on! Anything archery, G4 has got you covered!
The indoor range is a standard 20-yard range, and the usage fee is about $6 per hour. Recurves are available for rental at $6 per day. And not only does G4 Archery have an indoor range, but they also have, you guessed it, TechnoHunt.
You don’t want to miss out on the fun that’s offered here at G4 Archery!
7. Washington Park Archery Range
Washington Park, in Portland proper, has a lot of recreational activities that you can do. Archery is one of them! The archery range at Washington Park is a large, outdoor range that’s free! The archery range is not generally staffed, so you can feel less pressure while you’re enjoying your time with your bow there!
The range itself has ten different targets that vary in distance, so the range itself is actually fairly large. Since it’s free, the range is first-come-first-serve, so make sure to get there at a good time before all of the targets are taken!
Oregon is known for being an incredibly green and lush state, so why not participate in your favorite sport while enjoying the vast greenery Oregon has to offer?
8. Bushmen Archers
Bushmen Archers is an archery club that is based in St. Helens and has a 3D course available to all members year-round. If you’re looking for a community of archers to bond with and talk archery with, then you might want to consider Bushmen Archers!
In addition to their large 3D course, the Bushmen Archers also have a warmup target range that has seven targets to practice with! Bushmen Archers host a wide variety of events for members and their families to participate in, like shoot-outs, leagues, competitions, and special meetings to discuss archery in and to improve their skills.
If you want more of an exclusive archery experience and a community of people who understand your passion for archery, look no further!
And that’s a wrap! This list is a couple of recommendations of some of the best archery ranges in the Portland, Oregon area! Hopefully the next time you’re in the area, or perhaps you live there and you gain a desire to try out archery, try going to some of these ranges! There’s something for everyone!
Check out the best archery ranges in the country.
What Makes a High-Quality Archery Range?
The country has many archery ranges, some being better than others. A quality range offers features and qualities that cater to the needs of their visitors to provide a fun and safe shooting experience. Some important things to look for in a quality archery range are as follows.
Safety: The safety of their visitors should be the top priority in any archery range you visit. A range that values safety will have safety protocols and rules clearly posted for all to see. These will include designated shooting lanes and proper signs along with trained staff to monitor and enforce their rules and regulations. Safety measures such as backstops, barriers, and adequate ventilation systems should be in place to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of participants.
Range Layout and Design: An effective range layout is crucial for archers to practice their skills comfortably. The range should have well-defined shooting lanes with sufficient space between shooters, allowing for safe and unobstructed shooting. Distances for various shooting distances should be marked, and targets should be properly positioned for easy visibility and retrieval.
Target Variety and Quality:Â A great archery range offers a variety of target options to cater to different archery disciplines and skill levels. This can include traditional bullseye targets, 3D animal targets, and specialty targets for specific archery styles. Targets should be well-maintained, regularly replaced or repaired, and appropriately sized and positioned to provide a fair and challenging shooting experience.
Equipment and Amenities: High-quality archery ranges provide individuals with access to quality archery equipment and amenities, including bows and arrows, shooting stands or benches, and storage areas for personal gear.
Related Reading: 11 Best Compound Bows for Beginners
Instruction and Coaching: A great archery range may offer instructional classes or coaching services for people of any skill level. Qualified instructors or teachers should provide training and tips to help archers improve their form, accuracy, and technique. Their main goal is to contribute to the growth and development of archers at any skill level.
Community and Atmosphere: A positive and welcoming atmosphere can greatly enhance the overall experience at an archery range. A great range fosters community, encouraging archers to connect, share knowledge, and support each other’s progress. Organized events, competitions, or social gatherings can help build this community spirit and create a vibrant archery culture.
Accessibility and Convenience: Convenient location, sufficient parking, and low range fees contribute to the accessibility and attractiveness of an archery range. Range hours that accommodate various schedules, including evenings and weekends, can cater to a wider range of archers.