The Mission
When the sun sets over the Southern Utah desert, a new kind of shooting experience comes alive. Operation Nightfall is Zion Shooting Experience's newest adventure — a nighttime shotgun experience that combines the thrill of clay shooting with a fun sci-fi storyline under some of the darkest skies in the American West.
As glowing targets streak across the night sky, you take your position as Earth's last line of defense. Working individually or alongside your teammate, you track, engage, and eliminate incoming threats before they reach the planet. Every glowing clay you shatter is another win for humanity.
What You'll Shoot
- 12-gauge shotgun — the ideal firearm for tracking and hitting fast-moving aerial targets
- 25 glow-in-the-dark flying targets per shooter — launched into the night sky, these targets light up against the stars for a visual experience unlike anything else
- 25 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition per shooter — enough to complete your mission and defend the planet
Who Is This Experience For?
Operation Nightfall is designed for couples looking for a one-of-a-kind date night, groups of friends seeking something genuinely different, families with teens ready for adventure, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and anyone visiting Zion National Park who wants a nighttime experience they will never forget. No prior shooting experience is required — your instructor teaches you everything.
How It Works
Your experience starts at 9:00 PM (seasonal timing). After a safety briefing and shotgun familiarization, the lights go out and the mission begins. Your instructor launches glowing clays into the desert sky while coaching you on lead, timing, and follow-through. The crack of the shotgun, the glow of the target, and the satisfying burst when you connect — it all happens under a canopy of stars that only Southern Utah can deliver.
Experience Details
- Starts at 9:00 PM (seasonal — timing adjusts with sunset)
- Minimum 2 participants required
- Approximately 60–90 minutes
- Located on our private desert range near Zion National Park in Hurricane, Utah
Safety & Instruction
No experience is required. Your professional instructor provides a complete safety briefing, demonstrates proper shotgun handling and shooting stance, and stays with you throughout the entire experience. All safety equipment — eye and ear protection — is provided. The range is private, controlled, and exclusively reserved for your group.
Why Operation Nightfall?
There is nothing else like this near Zion National Park — or anywhere in Southern Utah. Nighttime shooting with glowing targets combines the satisfaction of shotgun sports with a cinematic atmosphere that turns a great experience into an unforgettable one. Whether you are a first-time shooter or a seasoned veteran, defending Earth has never been this much fun.
The invasion has begun. Can you save Earth?