Blog | Ready, Aim, Travel

Five World-Class Resorts for Shooting Enthusiasts

For some people, the idea of a dream vacation consists of sitting by the pool while sipping endless piña coladas with tiny umbrellas. For others, dream vacations are meant for adventure, excitement, and travel for shooting for the sweet smell of gunpowder. For those who prefer the latter, a world of high-end shooting vacations awaits.

Clay sport shooting is one of the world’s fastest-growing interests, with five-star destinations across the globe sure to engage and challenge even the most adept marksmen. Whether it’s your first time at the trigger or you’re an experienced shooter, these adventures could easily become family traditions for generations to come.

Travel for shooting, and explore these five world-class destinations sure to make you want to fire away! 

Casa de Campo

– La Romana, Dominican Republic  

It all started here in Casa de Campo. Welcome to the most exclusive resort destination in the Caribbean, which opened over 50 years ago. This stunning 7,000-acre resort features a unique array of amenities including a marina, equestrian facilities featuring polo, a soccer school, three championship golf courses, and a 245-acre shooting center with over 200 stations for the trap, skeet, and more. The 110-foot tower that projects sporting clays is one of the largest in the world. Dine in one of their many restaurants featuring Spanish tapas, classic Italian cuisine, sushi, or other global dishes.

The Ranch at Rock Creek

– Philipsburg, Montana

As the first five-star guest ranch in Forbes Travel Guide, The Ranch at Rock Creek is an all-inclusive resort and 19th-century homestead set on 6,600 acres of Montana’s fabled Big Sky Country. With a maximum occupancy of 75 people in 29 accommodations, each guest is afforded luxurious seclusion. Enjoy ranch-inspired cuisine, learn to fly fish in a Blue Ribbon trout stream, and sharpen your aim at five guns and two archery ranges. 

Located on beautiful Mallard Pond, the sporting clay course is the most popular target sport at The Ranch. The range features classic “going away” shots and more tricky “running rabbit” stations, as well as 10 throwers and chandelle targets that will challenge even the most experienced enthusiast. 

Nekupe

– Nandaime, Nicaragua 

While most of the country remains unpopulated, Nicaragua is a perfect destination for adventure enthusiasts to explore rainforests and primitive terrain. Nekupe, nestled along the Pacific countryside, is setting the bar high for Central American luxury travel. Relax in one of their villa accommodations or rent the entire property. Each guest has access to their own ATV to explore the 1,300-acre resort and navigate their target clay shooting courses designed by renowned sport shooter John Higgins. After a day of pulling triggers, enjoy all-inclusive activities such as tennis, mountain biking, horseback riding, yoga, and farming, hit the spa, or dine at one of their many farm-to-table restaurants. 

Ashford Castle

– Galway, Ireland 

Ireland’s first and only Forbes five-star hotel, Ashford Castle is a beautiful 800-year-old property converted into a luxury hotel in 1939. It boasts a 32-seat theater, billiards room, cigar terrace, six restaurants, an award-winning spa, and 83 beautifully restored guestrooms. Ashford is the oldest castle hotel in Ireland and includes a vast array of outdoor activities, including falconry. Its shooting school has been around since the Browne and Guinness families were involved in the World Record “Woodcock” shots of the early 1900s.

The school offers an excellent sporting clay layout and an experienced instructor team that caters to all skill levels. For those who love competition, they have an in-house, 50-target sporting competition called the “Ardilaun Challenge”, which is highly contested every year. 

Gleneagles

– Perth, Scotland

Gleneagles is a luxury hotel, spa, and must travel for shooting destination in the heart of the Scottish countryside. They offer gun dog training, a falconry school, and the world-renowned Gleneagles Shooting School. An excursion outdoors at Gleneagles isn’t complete without stalking deer at Perthshire Estates or fishing for salmon in the world-famous River Tay. 

After a day of smelling gunfire, pour yourself a glass of Gleneagles whiskey, made by the neighboring Glenturret Distillery exclusively for guests of the hotel.