Plan before you leave home
Start with the official schedule and the day you want.
Okeechobee Shooting Sports is an outdoor range at 7055 NE 48th St in Okeechobee. Its official website currently lists public non-member hours as Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group visits may be available Monday through Wednesday by appointment, depending on availability. Hours, events, weather, and individual range access can change, so confirm the details on the official Okeechobee Shooting Sports website or call (863) 357-3006 before making a long drive.
The official site offers advance reservations, which are especially useful when you want a particular experience or are visiting on a busy weekend. Decide whether your group wants basic rifle or pistol practice, clay sports, a gallery, a private range, or a scheduled long-range event. A little planning keeps you from arriving with equipment or expectations that do not match the area available that day.
Choose a range that fits your experience.
The range describes rifle and pistol lanes from 5 to 200 yards, along with pistol and rimfire galleries, an unlimited-rifle area, private ranges, five-stand fields, trap, skeet, and scheduled 500-yard days. The facility recommends its rifle and pistol ranges as a starting point for beginners. The 500-yard experience is event-based, requires advance booking and payment, and has limited capacity, so it should never be treated as a walk-in option.
First-time shooters should ask the range directly about appropriate instruction rather than trying to learn from a friend in the parking lot. The official site lists training providers that hold classes on the property, and staff can answer questions about the best starting place. Firearm rentals, ammunition, targets, and other supplies are described on the venue's site, but availability and permitted ammunition vary by range. Confirm what you need before the trip instead of assuming every firearm or load is allowed everywhere.
Complete the waiver and read every applicable rule.
Okeechobee Shooting Sports says all visitors—including minors and spectators—must complete its liability waiver. It also requires visitors to review the general rules and the additional rules for the specific range or sport they will use. The official rates and rules page is the right place to check before arrival; it includes the waiver link, range-specific restrictions, and current pricing.
Several basic requirements are clear: wear closed-toe shoes, use eye and ear protection near shooting areas, keep firearms pointed in a safe direction, and follow the Range Safety Officer's instructions. An RSO must be present before firearms are handled. Different areas have different rules for ammunition, targets, firing methods, and equipment, so do not rely on what was permitted during an earlier visit or at another facility. If anything is unclear, leave the firearm secured and ask range staff first.
Pack for an outdoor Okeechobee range day.
Because this is an outdoor facility, dress for heat, sun, rain, and changing Florida weather. The range recommends comfortable outdoor clothing, closed shoes, and a high-neck shirt to help protect against hot brass. Add sunscreen, water, a hat, and any prescription eyewear you need. Bring suitable eye and ear protection for every participant, and keep minors closely supervised according to the venue's rules.
Transport firearms and ammunition lawfully and securely, with actions open and firearms unloaded until staff directs otherwise. Check the official rules for your chosen range before packing ammunition or targets. Build extra time into the schedule for check-in, the waiver, the safety process, and questions. If bad weather, an event, or a safety issue changes the plan, follow staff guidance without trying to rush the day.
Build a simple breakfast-to-range itinerary.
Gladys' Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 511 SW Park St. On a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday range day, breakfast at Gladys' leaves plenty of time to eat, review the range rules once more, and reach the facility after it opens. Visitors who finish earlier can return toward town for lunch before Gladys' closes. Breakfast and lunch are both served throughout our open hours.
Check both businesses' current hours before leaving home, especially around holidays or severe weather. At Gladys', use the online menu or call (863) 763-9985 with restaurant questions. For every range question—rules, reservations, rentals, age requirements, training, or equipment—contact Okeechobee Shooting Sports directly. This is an independent local visitor guide; Gladys' Restaurant is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Okeechobee Shooting Sports.