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📍 Denver Archery Guide

Best Archery Ranges in Denver: Indoor, Outdoor & Free Places to Shoot

A free federal walk-up range, 28 indoor lanes with rentals in Broomfield, a brand-new Arvada range — and the October 2026 closure every other guide misses.

✓ Last verified: September 20261 free federal range⏱ 8 min read
Denver skyline with mountains

Denver Archery in 2026: Two Changes You Need to Know

Two verified changes reshape the Denver metro this year, and most ranking pages miss both. No Limits Archery — long the area's largest facility — is closing permanently on October 4, 2026, by its own announcement, after 17 years. And the Apex Archery Range opened in Arvada in December 2025, a 60-yard public outdoor range with drop-in shooting, JOAD and adaptive programs. Around those changes, the practical landscape: the Rocky Mountain Arsenal refuge's free, walk-up, 15-lane federal range (bring your own gear), Empty Quiver's 28 indoor lanes in Broomfield with $8 rentals, Bear Creek Archery's Englewood lesson ladder, and Barr Lake State Park's 80-yard lanes and 3D course free with a parks pass. This guide is built on official pages — FWS, CPW and the operators — checked September 2026.

📋 Key Takeaways

  • No Limits Archery closes October 4, 2026 — its own site says so, after 17 years. Do not plan around it.
  • The Rocky Mountain Arsenal range is free and walk-up: 15 lanes, 10–60 yards, federal land — but bring your own bow, arrows and targets.
  • Empty Quiver (Broomfield) is the indoor workhorse: 28 lanes at 20 yards, $12 all-day, $8 equipment rental, ages 8+, walk-ins welcome.
  • Apex in Arvada is the newest public option (opened December 2025): 60-yard outdoor range, drop-in sessions, JOAD and adaptive programming.
  • Barr Lake State Park has 12 covered lanes to 80 yards plus a 10-lane 3D course and a broadhead area — free with a state parks pass.
  • Bear Creek Archery (Englewood) publishes the metro's clearest lesson ladder: $30 intro with equipment, $150 JOAD.
📑 Table of Contents · 7 sections · ▾

Denver Archery in 2026: What Changed?

A closure

No Limits Archery (3050 E 78th Ave, Denver): "Unfortunately after 17 years, No Limits Archery will be closing on October 4th, 2026." Reduced hours from September 8, inventory 30–60% off. Any guide recommending it as a going concern is outdated.

An opening

The Apex Archery Range (13150 W 72nd Ave, Arvada) opened to the public December 12, 2025 — a 60-yard outdoor range on city land, operated by the Apex Park and Recreation District, with drop-in times, classes for ages 8+, JOAD and USA Archery instructor certification.

Which Denver Shooting Experience Do You Need?

Free public range

Rocky Mountain Arsenal (free, walk-up, 15 lanes to 60 yards, sunrise to sunset — until 8 p.m. May–August). Bring your own gear and complete the registration card. Broadheads only on lane 15 with your own target.

Indoor + rental

Empty Quiver (Broomfield): 28 lanes, $12 all-day, $8 rental, ages 8+, no class required. Bear Creek Archery (Englewood): indoor range with a pro shop and $30 intro classes with equipment included.

Beginner lesson

Bear Creek's $30 Introduction to Archery (required for under-18 range use), Empty Quiver's $22–$30 classes, Apex's Try Archery / Explore Archery, and Denver Parks ODR classes at Newton Park (some as low as $14.75).

Outdoor / longer distance

Barr Lake State Park (Brighton): 12 covered lanes from 10 to 80 yards, free with a parks pass. Apex (Arvada): 60 yards outdoors. Family Shooting Center (Aurora): $15 archery-only all-day — but expect frequent gunfire next door.

3D / club experience

Barr Lake's 10-lane 3D course leads the public options. Golden High Country Archers (1,000+ members) and Gamelines Archery Club (mountain terrain above Boulder) are private clubs — verify guest access before driving.

Denver Ranges at a Glance

FacilityAreaIndoor / OutdoorRentalsLessonsPublic / MemberVerified price
Rocky Mountain ArsenalDenver / Commerce City (FWS)OutdoorNoNoFree, walk-upFree
Empty QuiverBroomfield (north)Indoor 20 yd$8Classes $22–$30Public walk-in$12 all-day
Bear Creek ArcheryEnglewood (south)IndoorClass gear incl.Intro $30 · JOAD $150PublicIntro $30
Apex Archery RangeArvada (west)Outdoor 60 ydClasses provide gearTry/Explore · private $75/hrPublic (district)Drop-in fee via schedule
Barr Lake State ParkBrighton (northeast)Outdoor + 3DNoCPW clinicsPublic (parks pass)Free with pass
Family Shooting CenterAurora (Cherry Creek SP)OutdoorNo infoPrivate instructionPublic (parks pass)$15 archery-only
Denver Parks ODRDenver (Newton Park)ProgramProvided in classBeginner + family classesCity programFrom $14.75
← Scroll sideways to see all columns →

📍 All Ranges on One Map

All seven featured options mapped across the metro — from the Arsenal in the east through Arvada and Broomfield to Brighton.

Commerce CityBroomfieldEnglewoodArvadaBrightonAuroraDenver

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Open in Google Maps

Seven Denver Options, In Depth

1

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR — Archery Range

Havana Ponds Trail, Denver / Commerce City — U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Best for: the only genuinely free, walk-up, federally operated range serving Denver

At a Glance

📍
Location
Havana Ponds Trail, south side of the refuge (HQ: 6550 Gateway Rd, Commerce City, CO 80022)
🌐
🕐
Hours
Sunrise to sunset (fall/winter/spring) · until 8 p.m. May 1–Aug 1
💰
Cost
Free — "Visiting the Refuge is free! You do not need an America the Beautiful pass"
🏹
Range
15 lanes, 10 to 60 yards · max two archers per lane · shoot no more than 4 arrows at a time
📏
Rules
Broadheads only on lane 15 with your own target · field/target points on range targets · compound or recurve only, no crossbows

Why we picked it

This is Denver's free-range anchor: a 15-lane, 10-to-60-yard public range operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service inside the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, with no entry fee, no pass and no reservation — just a registration card dropped in the box. It is the only verified free walk-up archery range serving the city.

Good to know

Bring everything: the range has no rentals and no lessons, and broadheads are legal only on lane 15 with your own target. Youth under 16 should be accompanied by an adult, and the refuge asks visitors to stay at least 75 feet from bison — this is real wildlife habitat.

Who it's best for

Anyone with their own bow who wants free, unstaffed outdoor practice — from first arrows to hunting prep.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website
2

Empty Quiver Archery

7180 W 117th Ave, Unit C, Broomfield — north of Denver

Best for: the metro's largest indoor lane count with published rental pricing

At a Glance

📍
Address
7180 W 117th Ave, Unit C, Broomfield, CO 80020 · (720) 887-6822
🌐
🏹
Range
28 lanes at 20 yards, indoor
💰
Cost
$12 all-day shooting pass · equipment rental $8
👨‍🏫
Lessons
Classes Thu 4:30/6:30, Sat 9/12/3 · $22 with own equipment, $30 with rental · $5 online discount
🕐
Hours
Mon–Fri 10–9 · Sat 10–8 · Sun 10–4 · ages 8+

Why we picked it

Empty Quiver is the metro's indoor workhorse after No Limits' closure: 28 lanes at 20 yards, a flat $12 all-day pass, an $8 equipment rental, and — crucially — open shooting that explicitly does not require a class. Walk in, rent gear, shoot. It's the simplest indoor answer in the region.

Good to know

Classes are a bargain relative to the metro: $22 with your own gear or $30 with the rental included, ~15 people with three instructors, and late arrivals aren't admitted. The minimum age is 8, and the site publishes no JOAD program — its youth path runs through the classes.

Who it's best for

North-metro families, renters without gear, and anyone who wants walk-in indoor lanes.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website
3

Bear Creek Archery

3340 S Knox Ct, Englewood — south metro

Best for: the metro's clearest beginner-to-JOAD lesson ladder with published prices

At a Glance

📍
Address
3340 S Knox Ct, Englewood, CO 80110 · (303) 781-8733
🌐
👨‍🏫
Lessons
Introduction to Archery $30 (equipment included, max 8 shooters) · private lessons from $30 · USA Archery certified
🏅
JOAD
4-week Olympic-style program, $150 including rental if needed · up to 24 new shooters · parent present at all classes
🕐
Hours
Mon–Fri 11–8 · Sat 11–5 · Sun 12–4
📏
Requirement
Intro class mandated for anyone under 18 wanting range use; recommended for all new shooters

Why we picked it

Bear Creek Archery is the structured path: an indoor range with a full pro shop whose $30 Introduction to Archery (equipment included, capped at 8 shooters) is both the beginner on-ramp and the gate for under-18 range use, followed by a $150 four-week JOAD program that includes rental gear. For a family building toward competitive archery, it's the metro's clearest ladder.

Good to know

Published details stop at the class structure: lane count and maximum distance aren't on the official site (directory claims are unconfirmed). JOAD requires each shooter to buy four approved arrows, a quiver, an arm guard and a finger tab. Private lessons start at $30 per person.

Who it's best for

South-metro beginners and families who want classes, JOAD and a pro shop together.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website
4

Apex Archery Range

13150 W 72nd Ave, Arvada — Apex Park and Recreation District

Best for: the newest public outdoor range: drop-in shooting plus a deep program ladder

At a Glance

📍
Address
13150 W. 72nd Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 (Apex Center) · (303) 403-2523
🌐
🏹
Range
60-yard outdoor range on City of Arvada land · opened to the public December 12, 2025
👨‍🏫
Programs
Try Archery, Explore Archery I & II (ages 8+) · JOAD (ages 10–20, or 8–20 with a completed class) · adult club · adaptive archery
💰
Cost
Private lessons $75/hour + $10 per additional person (max 4) · drop-in fee via the schedule link
📋
Requirement
Archery Range Acknowledgment of Risk signed by all users · guardian signature for minors

Why we picked it

Apex is the metro's freshest public asset: a 60-yard outdoor range built on Arvada city land under an intergovernmental agreement and opened December 12, 2025 — with drop-in shooting, a full class ladder from Try Archery through Explore II, JOAD with rolling enrollment, adaptive archery, and even USA Archery instructor certification. It's the single biggest addition to Denver-area capacity in the period.

Good to know

Drop-in times and fees live in an external schedule — the official page doesn't print them, so check the schedule or call before visiting. Instructional programming moves indoors to the auxiliary gym October through April. News-reported admission figures ($7 resident / $10 non-resident) are secondary sources — verify.

Who it's best for

West-metro families, youth on a JOAD path and anyone wanting a modern public range.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website
5

Barr Lake State Park — Archery Range

13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton — northeast of Denver (CPW)

Best for: 80-yard lanes, a 3D course and a legal broadhead area — hunter prep

At a Glance

📍
Address
13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603 · (303) 659-6005
🌐
🏹
Ranges
12 covered lanes, 10 to 80 yards · 10-lane 3D course · designated broadhead area (bring your own targets)
💰
Cost
Free to use with a valid Colorado State Parks pass
🕐
Hours
Sunrise to sunset
📏
Rules
Field or target tips only on the static and 3D ranges · no crossbows · minors 16-and-under supervised

Why we picked it

Barr Lake is the region's hunter-prep destination: a covered 12-lane static range out to 80 yards, a 10-lane 3D course with realistic targets, and — rare in the metro — a designated broadhead area where hunters can practice with their season equipment (own targets required). All of it is free to use with a Colorado State Parks pass.

Good to know

The broadhead area is the exception, not the rule: static and 3D ranges allow field or target tips only, and crossbows are prohibited there. Minors 16 and under need a responsible adult. The park sits about 20 minutes northeast of Denver — treat it as a trip, not a stop.

Who it's best for

Bowhunters preparing for season, long-distance shooters and 3D regulars with a parks pass.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website
6

Family Shooting Center — Archery Range

4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora — Cherry Creek State Park

Best for: a published low-cost archery-only day pass — with a noise caveat

At a Glance

📍
Address
4201 S Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014 (Cherry Creek State Park)
🌐
💰
Cost
Archery only, all day: $15 · full facility day pass $30 (covers all ranges) · park pass required
👨‍🏫
Lessons
Private archery instruction by phone: (866) 834-5401
📋
Requirement
Waivers signed by all participants · Colorado State Parks pass required for entry
🔊
Noise note
CPW, verbatim: "the archery range backs up to an active shooting range, loud gunshots will be frequent in the area"

Why we picked it

The Family Shooting Center publishes the metro's only archery-only all-day rate — $15 — inside Cherry Creek State Park. For a budget-conscious archer with a parks pass it's a legitimate low-cost outdoor option with private instruction available by phone.

Good to know

Read the official caveat before bringing anyone sensitive to noise: the archery range backs up to an active firearms range and CPW states gunshots are frequent. Lane counts and distances aren't published, and there's no rental information — bring your own equipment.

Who it's best for

Budget outdoor shooters on the south/east side who don't mind a loud neighbor.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website
7

Denver Parks & Recreation — ODR Archery Programs

Newton Park, Denver — city-run classes

Best for: city-run instruction inside Denver proper, from $14.75

At a Glance

📍
Location
Newton Mountain Park, Denver · ODR office 4601 W 46th Ave · (720) 865-0680
🌐
👨‍🏫
Programs
Adult Beginner Archery · Family Archery · Teen Archery & Orienteering · AOA Archery (50+) · MY Denver youth sessions
💰
Cost
Teen Archery & Orienteering listed at $14.75 (instructor, equipment and transportation provided)
📋
Note
This is a class program, not a permanent public range — no verified free Denver city-park archery range exists
🕐
Schedule
Dated listings — Sept 27 adult beginner, Oct 25 family, Oct 10–11 overnight

Why we picked it

Denver's own parks department runs the city's archery instruction: adult beginner sessions, family evenings, teen programs with equipment and transportation included for under $15, and adaptive offerings for 50+. It's the lowest-commitment city-run entry point — and worth listing precisely because Denver has no permanent free city-park range.

Good to know

Sessions are dated and weather-dependent — register through the ODR system for a specific date. The refund policy is published (full refund for ODR cancellations or 15+ days' notice). Don't confuse this with a walk-up range: it's instruction.

Who it's best for

Denver residents who want city-run, low-cost instruction without leaving town.

🗺 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website

Also Worth Knowing About

  • No Limits Archery (3050 E 78th Ave, Denver) — closing permanently October 4, 2026 per the operator's own site, after 17 years. Reduced hours since September 8; inventory 30–60% off, including range targets, 3D targets and rental equipment.
  • Golden High Country Archers (near Golden) — a private, member-owned 501(c)(7) with 20 3D lanes, a sight-in range and over 1,000 members. Dues and guest policy aren't published officially — verify before planning a visit.
  • Gamelines Archery Club (mountain terrain above Boulder) — a private mountain-field range with life-sized 3D targets at unmarked 7–60 yard distances, a broadhead sight-in range and a tree-stand platform. Members only; field points only on the practice ranges.
  • Archery Games Denver (Arvada) — indoor archery dodgeball for ages 8+: 75-minute sessions from $37/player, all safety gear provided, reservations required. An activity, not a practice range.
  • Bear Creek Lake Park (Lakewood) — the city confirms an archery range with published rules (no broadheads) and runs adult and family programs; open public use and fees aren't stated on official pages — confirm before going.

Before You Go: Denver-Specific Practicalities

Three things to plan around:

  • Verify status before driving. No Limits closes October 4, 2026 — directories still show its full hours and 2026 leagues, which the operator's own announcement contradicts. Tanglewood Archery's domain doesn't resolve, and several "Denver ranges" in listings are unverifiable. Check the official site.
  • The free range needs your gear. The Arsenal is free, walk-up and federal — and has no rentals, no lessons and broadhead restrictions. Bring your bow, arrows and targets.
  • Seasonal hours are official, not folklore. The Arsenal extends to 8 p.m. May 1–August 1; Apex's instruction moves indoors October–April; Barr Lake runs sunrise to sunset. Plan by the published calendars.

How We Chose These Ranges

  • Freshness — closures, openings and schedule changes verified on official pages
  • Free and low-cost public options with federal, state or district backing
  • Verified rentals and beginner paths with published prices
  • Indoor capacity after the 2026 No Limits closure
  • Broadhead and equipment rules from official range pages
  • Every fact checked from official sources in September 2026

We have not visited these ranges in person. Every fact below comes from official pages — U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, operators and park districts — checked in September 2026. Where an operator's own announcement contradicts directories, we follow the operator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge range: free, walk-up, 15 lanes from 10 to 60 yards, sunrise to sunset (until 8 p.m. May 1–August 1). Bring your own bow, arrows and targets, complete the registration card, and note broadheads are legal only on lane 15. No verified free Denver city-park range exists.

Per the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: sunrise to sunset in fall, winter and spring, and sunrise to 8:00 p.m. from May 1 through August 1. There is no fee, no pass and no reservation — a registration card goes in the brown box at the range.

Empty Quiver Archery in Broomfield (28 lanes at 20 yards, $12 all-day, $8 rental, walk-ins, ages 8+) is the largest published indoor option. Bear Creek Archery in Englewood runs an indoor range with a pro shop and a $30 intro class. Apex runs indoor classes October–April. Remember: No Limits Archery closes October 4, 2026.

Yes — Empty Quiver rents equipment for $8 (or $30 with a class included); Bear Creek's $30 intro includes equipment; Apex private lessons provide gear at $75/hour. The Arsenal and Barr Lake have no rentals.

Published paths: Bear Creek's $30 Introduction to Archery (required for under-18 range use), Empty Quiver's $22–$30 classes (ages 8+), Apex's Try/Explore Archery, Denver Parks ODR classes at Newton Park (teen program $14.75 with equipment and transport), and CPW clinics at Cherry Creek.

Yes — Bear Creek runs a four-week JOAD program at $150 including rental if needed (parent attends all classes); Apex runs JOAD for ages 10–20 (or 8–20 after a completed class) with rolling enrollment; CPW runs youth clinics at Cherry Creek.

Barr Lake State Park offers 12 covered lanes out to 80 yards (plus a 10-lane 3D course and a broadhead area), free with a state parks pass. Apex in Arvada reaches 60 yards. Both are official CPW/district figures.

Three verified options: the Arsenal's lane 15 only (your own target, max 60 yards), Barr Lake's designated broadhead area (bring your own targets), and Gamelines' broadhead sight-in range (members). Broadheads are prohibited on Lakewood's range and GHCA's 3D course.

The Arsenal: no — walk-up with a registration card. Empty Quiver: walk-ins welcome. Barr Lake: sunrise to sunset, no reservation published. Bear Creek classes and Apex programs register in advance; Archery Games Denver requires reservations.

📚 Sources & Verification

Denver's landscape changed materially in 2025–2026, and directory listings haven't caught up. All facts above were checked from official pages — FWS, CPW, operators and park districts — in September 2026.

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