Las Vegas: Mojave Outdoor Shooting & ATV Combo Tour

Summary

Fire machine guns outdoors then ride ATVs through Mojave sand

You’ll get picked up in Las Vegas for an outdoor shooting experience with real military-style weapons in the Mojave Desert—plus optional ATV rides to the Colorado River with local guides. Try everything from sub-machine guns to sniper rifles, then share stories over burgers before heading back dusty and grinning.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, my palms were sweaty before we even left the van. Our driver cracked a joke about “city hands” as we rolled out of Las Vegas — I laughed but kept flexing my fingers anyway. The Mojave Desert looked way emptier than I’d pictured, all pale dust and sharp blue sky. When we pulled up to the outdoor shooting range, you could hear distant pops echoing off the hills. It smelled like hot metal and sunscreen. Our instructor, Mike (ex-military, but with a dad-joke vibe), handed out ear protection and ran us through safety stuff — strict but not stiff. He showed me how to hold the Glock first. My arms shook more than I thought they would.

The main keyword here is “outdoor shooting experience Las Vegas,” but honestly it felt nothing like any indoor range I’ve tried back home. The wind kept tugging at my shirt and there was this weird silence between shots — just dry air and someone’s nervous laugh drifting by. When Mike let us try the Barrett .50 Cal sniper rifle (I picked the Gold package), I swear my shoulder still remembers that kick. There were these exploding targets too — not cartoonish, just a quick flash and a puff of sand leaping up. One guy in our group cheered so loud he startled a lizard off a rock.

If you add the ATV tour (which you should if you’re even slightly curious), it’s another layer of grit in your teeth and adrenaline in your veins. We followed our guide Li across Lake Mead’s edge, engines buzzing over packed dirt trails that rattled your bones in a good way. At one point we stopped above the Colorado River — water so bright it almost looked fake after all that tan dust. Li told us about growing up nearby; she pointed out wildflowers I’d never have noticed on my own. She laughed when I tried to repeat their names in Mandarin — probably butchered every syllable.

Lunch was burgers and fries under some shade tarps, everyone trading stories about which gun felt scariest or who nearly got stuck on an ATV rut (guilty). Soda tasted better than usual after all that heat and noise. On the drive back to Vegas, my ears were still ringing a little and my shoes were full of sand, but I didn’t really mind. Sometimes you need something that shakes you up — I still think about that view over the river.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Outdoor shooting and optional ATV tour

• Choose shooting package
• Receive expert shooting instruction
• Fire selected military-style weapons
• Shoot at exploding targets
• Optional: Take ATV tour in Lake Mead
• Explore Colorado River area

Top questions

What weapons can I shoot during this outdoor shooting experience near Las Vegas?

You can choose packages offering sub-machine guns, machine guns, Glock 9mm pistols, Barrett .50 Cal sniper rifles, M2 Deuce .50 Cal BMGs, and more depending on your selection.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Las Vegas?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from select hotels in Las Vegas.

How long is the ATV tour if I add it to my booking?

The ATV tour lasts approximately 3 hours through Lake Mead area down to the Colorado River.

Are meals provided on this tour?

Yes, lunch includes a burger with fries and soda served at the range area.

Do I need prior shooting experience for this outdoor range?

No prior experience is needed; expert instructors provide full guidance and safety instructions onsite.

Is there an age requirement for participants?

The minimum age is 18 years old with valid photo ID required for participation.

Can pregnant women join this shooting & ATV tour?

Pregnant women cannot participate as shooters but may attend as non-shooters if desired.

What should I wear for this Mojave Desert activity?

Wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes; helmets are required for ATVs.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select Las Vegas hotels, all eye and ear protection needed at the outdoor range, bottled water throughout, your selected shooting package (with options ranging from sub-machine guns to sniper rifles), three-hour ATV adventure if chosen—with helmets provided—and a classic burger lunch with fries and soda before heading back into town.