🌤 Weather at World Shooting and Recreational Complex by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33–76 °F | 62–88 °F | 34–81 °F | 22–45 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Sparta 1 W, 1 mi away, elevation 535 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
The World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC), often called the World Shooting Complex, is a 1,600-acre public shooting sports and recreation facility near Sparta in Randolph County, Illinois, operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). It is not a state park. The complex has hosted the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s Grand American Trapshooting Championships each summer since it opened in 2006, and IDNR says the event draws more than 5,000 competitors and spectators.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 Main Event Lane, Sparta, Randolph County, IL |
| Operator | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
| Size | 1,600 acres |
| Shooting | 120 trap houses stretching 3.5 miles, 24 combination trap and skeet fields, two sporting clays courses, cowboy action shooting |
| Event | ATA Grand American Trapshooting Championships, each summer |
| Phone | 618-295-2700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners visit?
Yes. One of the two sporting clays courses is set at a novice level, and the IDNR calendar lists walk-up weekends alongside registered shoots. For trap and skeet questions, call 618-295-2332; for sporting clays pricing and scheduling, call 618-295-2331.
About World Shooting Complex
IDNR runs the complex as a public facility for shooters and for general recreation. It offers 120 trap houses stretching 3.5 miles, two sporting clays courses with 15 stations each, 24 combination trap and skeet fields, and cowboy action shooting. IDNR calls this the longest trap line in the world. Sixteen of the fields have lights for shooting after dark, and the trap fields use a voice-activated release system. Beyond shooting, the site has more than 1,000 camping sites, fishing, a full-service restaurant, and meeting and event space for private events such as weddings, conferences and family reunions.
Things to Do
You can shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays, try cowboy action shooting or rifle and pistol shooting, fish, camp, or watch registered shoots and the Grand American. As of October 2026, IDNR lists trap hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday from April 1 through December 31, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday from January 1 through March 31. Sporting clays runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from April 1 through December 31. Check the IDNR calendar for shooting days before you go.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Piney Creek Ravine (Illinois) (a short drive away) or Baldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Campsites at the complex must be reserved in advance through ExploreMoreIL. As of October 2026, reservations can be made April 1 through Oct. 31; premium sites cost $25 or less per day and standard sites $20 or less per day, with special rates during holidays and special events.
Visit the World Shooting Complex
1,600 acres, 120 trap houses stretching 3.5 miles, and the Grand American each summer. Address: 1 Main Event Lane, Sparta, Illinois.
Camping at the Complex
IDNR lists more than 1,000 camping sites and calls the complex a popular destination for RV travelers. Camping blackouts apply every year during the Grand American, which typically runs late July through early August. To camp during the Grand, contact the ATA camping manager at 618-449-2224, ext. 108.
Nearby Attractions
IDNR places the complex 45 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, 60 miles northwest of Carbondale, Illinois, and about 120 miles south of Springfield, the state capital.
Park Map
Plan your gear for World Shooting and Recreational Complex
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
