New DNR shooting range starts construction in Roscommon County, opening planned for fall

Construction is underway on a new public shooting range in Roscommon County, giving hunters and recreational shooters in the area a new state-run facility to watch for later this year.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the range is being built on Roscommon State Forest land in St. Helen. The project is in St. Helen, not the village of Roscommon, and the state is treating it as a countywide recreation asset.

What residents should expect during construction

The DNR says access to the site will be restricted while work continues for the safety of workers and the public. The range is expected to open in fall 2026.

The agency says the project is being built with federal Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds and will be leased and operated by the Ogemaw Hills Sportsmen Association once it opens.

The DNR also says the range will be staffed and designed to meet or exceed ADA accessibility guidelines. That makes it different from an informal practice spot and part of the state’s public shooting-range system.

Why it matters locally

For Roscommon-area residents, the practical takeaway is simple: the site is not open yet, and nearby access will stay limited until construction is finished. When it opens, the new range should give local shooters and hunters a public place to practice closer to home.

Sources

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Construction on new DNR shooting range in Roscommon County underway
• Manistee News: Michigan DNR I-75 shooting range report