I have never been to a mainland outdoor range, but like I posted earlier, I've seen the RO's eating multiple times.
All depends on who owns it -- i.e. the property owner.
Most open ranges have a "We are not responsible -- use at your own risk" sign to avoid legal issues.
If it's a private area just being made available for anyone to use, there is usually a collection box for donations and a list of rules posted. #1 rule is usually stop shooting if someone is walking beyond the benches. #2 is usually don't walk beyond the benches if someone is shooting. As long as the shooters communicate with each other, safety is self-regulating ... i.e. no RSO required.
There are cans for trash and used targets, and usually rules against shooting anything that leaves a mess, like bowling pins and glass bottles. Too hard to clean up even if you try to keep the area clean-ish.
If the range is state, city or county property, they'll normally run it like most parks: someone is on duty to oversee safety and call for help if there's a need.
Most of these places are not often packed with people. In fact, it's usually one or two groups or individuals at a time. If someone is being unsafe, it's best to wait until they leave -- sit in the car or come back later. Most people don't spend half a day shooting. They get bored or use up their ammo. Serious shooters take longer and are safer. The guy just there to feel the recoil and hear the noise isn't honing his skills.
The cost of indoor range time was super-cheap on the mainland, and you could bring in your own ammo. They might check for steel projectiles with a magnet or require only factory loads, but using bulk ammo you bought cheaper than by-the-box isn't a problem.
I usually bought my targets there unless I knew they had a limited supply/selection. Don't buy a second target until you need it. Saves you from keeping and returning with it if it's unused.
And you should always police your brass! Leaving it there no matter whose property it is just makes someone else deal with it. Every indoor range I visited lately required you to dump your spent brass into buckets for the range to sell or reload -- it helps keep their, and your, range costs down.
I prefer an indoor range that lets shooters just shoot without a bunch of "Do's and Do-Not's". Those places will supervise the obviously less experienced patrons and correct them on the spot. Way better than making them read a page of rules and sign it.
PSA in SC has an excellent range, and the first time you go means signing a few forms for safety education and legal liability. If you're a Vet, they let you shoot for free on holidays like Memorial Day. I used my ammo and their targets. Cost me $3 in targets for 2 hours on a range with state-of-the-art lanes.
