Places to camp and shoot distance on public land in TX, AZ, UT, NM, OK

I've lived in both Arizona and New Mexico, and Arizona has huge masses of public lands that you can shoot anything for distances of choice. New Mexico on the other hand, is a bit more occupied by private land owners and ranchers. It isn't impossible to find decent large public lands, but it does require some home work, as New Mexico doesn't require land owners to post their land, as is the case in Arizona.

I currently live in S.W. Arizona, and have lived in the Northern and Western regions as well. In just about any region of the state one can literally get lost and drive hundreds of miles without ever leaving public land. As for what you can do on these public lands, the sky is the limit.

I vote Arizona for camping and all outdoor activities as being one of, if not the most accommodating states to recreate in, as you please. Your welcome to come get lost in out state public lands!

GS

My understanding is Texas land is mostly private so I doubt you will have much luck unless you know someone with a ranch.

What time of year? If its after May, you'll want to be above "the rim" in AZ.

He's warning you about Arizona heat.

PFCLEE, I've lived in Arizona most of my life, and although Az. is growing in population, it's still pretty easy to find a safe place to shoot. I should qualify that by adding, "as long as you're outside the Phoenix area/The Valley". Only about 12%, I believe, of Az. is privately owned, so still lots of Public land to shoot on. But, in Summer, there is the heat. I now live in Rim Country at about 5000' elevation and we get some snow in Winter, etc, but even though not HOT like Phoenix, it's still pretty warm in Summer, lots of mid-high 90s, etc. And Phoenix/The Valley seems so hot when I'm back there sometimes in Summer, that I wonder how I worked outside there for so many years ;-)

Tons of public land where I live. But it's northeast oklahoma. I have places I can shoot 500 yards easy. The camping is going to be primitive in most places though. But I don't "camp" in an RV.

While most land in Texas is private and you mentioned NM then you must be willing to travel. There are two 1,000 yard ranges in my area. One is the Ft. Blis Rod and Gun Club and one at tje clun in Las Cruces.

Up where I live lots of public land, nat forest etc. just need to be aware of gas wells and indian country. Must have reservation permits to hunt and fish and camp on indian reservations.

Just west of Albuquerque is miles of BLM land, open to all for any kind of shooting activities except for a very few areas bordering on bike trails and the like. I shoot in an area where I could probably fire off a 155mm and not hit anything downrange, meaning about 30 miles to the next highway.

There's lots of BLM, forest land, Bureau of Reclamation, all kinds of non-DOD federal land in NM. I'm sure Arizona is the same. Not organized into a formal range, but drive way out, set up your targets, check out the backstop, and have at it.

BLM land in southern AZ is plentiful and open. If you shoot in the summer, bring a cooler with water. If you shoot in the winter, wear shorts and enjoy it.

Watch for snakes.

There is a private range near Austin where you can shoot out to 1K yards but they'll probably frown on you camping there.

Oh, I forgot to mention, NRA Whittington center, near Raton NM, lots of ranges and camping, NRA membership required of course.