Best Axe Throwing in Colorado Springs, CO (2026 Guide)

Colorado Springs is a military town, an outdoor adventure town, and an Olympic training town. It sits at 6,035 feet with Pikes Peak towering in the background and Garden of the Gods ten minutes from downtown. The vibe here skews active, competitive, and a little rugged -- which makes it a natural fit for axe throwing.

The Springs has multiple ways to throw axes, from a dedicated Bad Axe Throwing franchise with 12 targets and craft beer, to a hybrid paintball-and-axes facility with family-friendly pricing, to mobile operators who will bring the lanes to your backyard. For a city of 480,000, that is more variety than most metros double its size.

Bad Axe Throwing -- North Academy Boulevard

Bad Axe Throwing Colorado Springs at 3536 N Academy Blvd is the flagship axe throwing venue in the Springs. Part of the Bad Axe Throwing chain -- one of the largest in North America, affiliated with the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) -- this location has earned a 4.9-star Google rating with nearly 2,000 reviews. That puts it among the highest-rated Bad Axe locations in the country.

The facility: 12 targets spread across a spacious throwing floor. The lane count matters -- it means Bad Axe can handle large corporate groups, birthday parties, and walk-in traffic simultaneously without feeling cramped. Most dedicated axe venues in mid-size cities have 4-8 lanes, so 12 is substantial.

Coaching: WATL-affiliated coaches run every session. They start with grip, stance, and release instruction before you throw. The consistent review theme is that coaches get beginners sticking axes within 10-15 minutes, which tracks with what we see at top venues nationally. Experienced throwers can work on advanced techniques like clutch throws during their session.

The bar: Bad Axe serves local Colorado craft beers and wine on-site. This is not a full cocktail bar, but having drinks available elevates the experience past the dry, family-only model. You can throw axes and have a beer without needing to go somewhere else afterward. For more venues with bar service, check our axe throwing with bar directory.

Pricing: Sessions typically run $35-43 per person for 90 minutes. Groupon deals frequently drop the price to $28-30 per person -- worth checking before you book at full rate. Group rates available for parties of 10+.

Hours: Closed Monday. Tuesday 3-7 PM, Wednesday-Thursday 4-8 PM, Friday 2-10 PM, Saturday noon-10 PM, Sunday noon-6 PM. Walk-in hours available Tuesday through Sunday, but reservations guarantee your spot.

Age requirement: 12+ to throw, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Best for: Date nights, competitive friend groups, corporate team building, anyone who wants the most polished axe throwing experience in the Springs, league-curious throwers who want WATL-standard lanes.

American Paintball Coliseum -- Emory Circle

If Bad Axe is the dedicated axe throwing specialist, American Paintball Coliseum at 834 Emory Circle is the multi-activity complex that includes axe throwing as one of several options. They have 4 axe throwing lanes with up to 6 throwers per lane -- smaller than Bad Axe, but with a different value proposition.

The appeal: Lower pricing and wider age access. At $26 per person for a one-hour session or $42 for two hours, APC undercuts Bad Axe on price. Two-hour sessions include throwing star rentals alongside the axes, which adds variety that dedicated axe venues usually do not offer.

Family-friendly: Minimum age is 8 years old (vs. 12 at Bad Axe), and there is no alcohol. If you are planning a kids' axe throwing outing or a family event where alcohol is not appropriate, this is your spot.

Hours: Open 7 days a week -- Monday-Tuesday 11 AM-6 PM, Wednesday-Friday 11 AM-8 PM, Saturday 9 AM-8 PM, Sunday 11 AM-6 PM. The daily availability and walk-in friendliness make it more accessible for spontaneous visits.

The combo factor: Paintball is the core business, and having both under one roof means you can plan a full day of activities. Book paintball in the morning and axe throwing in the afternoon, or vice versa. For groups deciding between activities, you do not have to choose.

Best for: Families with kids 8+, budget-conscious groups, people who also want paintball, spontaneous walk-ins who want same-day availability.

Mobile Axe Throwing -- Jack's and Others

Colorado Springs has mobile axe throwing operators who bring portable lanes to your location. Jack's Axe Throwing is the most visible, operating out of downtown Colorado Springs and serving events across the state.

How it works: Mobile operators set up portable wooden targets with proper safety enclosures at your venue -- backyards, parks, corporate campuses, wedding venues, festival grounds. Coaches travel with the setup and run the session just like a brick-and-mortar venue.

Pricing: Jack's charges around $25 per person for on-site events (minimum 10 people) and $30 per person for off-site events, with three-hour session windows. That per-person rate is competitive with fixed venues, and you get the convenience of throwing where your event already is.

When mobile makes sense: Weddings, rehearsal dinners, neighborhood block parties, corporate retreats at mountain lodges, and any event where asking 30 people to drive to a separate venue adds friction. For more on this format, read our outdoor vs. indoor comparison.

Picking the Right Venue

Why Colorado Springs Works for Axe Throwing

The military-outdoor culture here creates a built-in audience. Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, the US Air Force Academy, and NORAD at Cheyenne Mountain put over 80,000 active-duty service members and veterans in the metro. These are people who tend toward physical, competitive recreation -- and axe throwing fits that profile perfectly.

The outdoor adventure identity helps too. Colorado Springs visitors come for Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, hiking, and rock climbing. Axe throwing slots into an activity-packed trip as a complement to outdoor adventures, especially when afternoon weather pushes you inside or when you want something social after a morning hike.

The altitude is worth noting for visitors: at 6,035 feet, you may feel slightly more winded than at sea level, but axe throwing is not cardio-intensive enough for altitude to matter much. Drink water, take your time, enjoy the session.

Building Your Day Around Axe Throwing

Adventure day: Morning at Garden of the Gods (free, 15 minutes from Bad Axe), then axe throwing in the afternoon. The contrast between red-rock formations and indoor competition makes for a memorable day. Finish with dinner on Tejon Street downtown.

Date night: Bad Axe for axes and craft beer, then walk to a downtown brewery. Colorado Springs has a strong craft beer scene -- Bristol Brewing Company, Cerberus Brewing, and Peaks N Pines are all solid options within a short drive.

Family day: American Paintball Coliseum for axe throwing and paintball (kids 8+), then the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for something completely different. The zoo is one of the highest-rated in the country and only a 20-minute drive.

Group outing: Book Bad Axe for the group axe throwing session, then head to Manitou Springs (10 minutes west) for the quirky shops, penny arcade, and Manitou Brewing Company. Manitou adds a different energy to the day -- artsy and offbeat vs. competitive and physical.

Practical Info

Reservations: Bad Axe strongly recommends booking ahead for Friday and Saturday sessions. American Paintball Coliseum is more walk-in friendly. Mobile services need advance booking (usually 1-2 weeks minimum). Browse venues with online booking for easy scheduling.

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes required everywhere. Layers are smart in Colorado Springs -- the temperature can swing 30 degrees in a day. Full details in our what to wear guide.

Getting there: Colorado Springs is 70 miles south of Denver on I-25 (about 75 minutes). If you are visiting from Denver, this is a doable day trip. Compare the Springs scene to Denver's axe throwing options and decide which city fits your plans.

First-timers: Both Bad Axe and APC start with coaching. You need zero experience. The staff sees beginners all day, every day. Check our beginner's guide and tips and techniques for what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does axe throwing cost in Colorado Springs?

Bad Axe runs $35-43 per person for 90 minutes (check Groupon for deals). American Paintball Coliseum is $26 for one hour or $42 for two hours. Mobile services start around $25 per person. For national context, see our pricing guide.

Can kids go axe throwing in Colorado Springs?

Yes. American Paintball Coliseum allows ages 8+ and is alcohol-free. Bad Axe allows ages 12+ with an adult. See our full kids guide for what to expect.

Is Bad Axe Throwing Colorado Springs part of a chain?

Yes -- Bad Axe Throwing is one of the largest axe throwing chains in North America with locations across the US and Canada. The Colorado Springs location is among their highest-rated.

Can I drink while axe throwing in Colorado Springs?

At Bad Axe, yes -- they serve local craft beer and wine. American Paintball Coliseum does not serve alcohol. Mobile services depend on the event venue's rules. Find more venues with bars.

What should I do before or after axe throwing?

Garden of the Gods (free, 15 min away), Manitou Springs, downtown breweries, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or a drive up Pikes Peak. Colorado Springs is stacked with activities that pair well with an axe throwing session.

Book Your Colorado Springs Session

Colorado Springs gives you more axe throwing variety than most cities its size -- a top-rated Bad Axe franchise, a budget-friendly multi-activity option, and mobile services for private events. The military and outdoor culture means the crowd here actually enjoys competitive, physical activities, which makes for a better throwing atmosphere than venues in cities where people are just checking a box.

Browse all Colorado axe throwing venues in our directory, or explore top-rated venues across the country.