Axe Throwing in Maryland: 16 Venues From Baltimore to the Eastern Shore (2026 Guide)

Maryland is not the first state that comes to mind for axe throwing. That is a mistake. Sixteen venues stretch from the Baltimore metro down through the DC suburbs, out to the Chesapeake Bay region, and up into the Appalachian foothills near Cumberland. The variety is real -- you have got WATL-affiliated urban lanes, five-star mobile operations, rage rooms with axe throwing add-ons, and a paintball complex that added hatchet lanes because why not.

This is the statewide guide. We also maintain a dedicated Baltimore axe throwing guide for the city-proper scene, and the Washington DC axe throwing guide covers DC-side venues that pull from the Maryland suburbs. If you already know which corner of the state you live in, those guides go deeper on the local picks.

Maryland Axe Throwing Quick Nav

This guide goes region-by-region across Maryland. Use the table above to jump straight to a related city or filter when you already know what you want.

The Maryland Axe Network at a Glance

Five venues hold a perfect 5.0-star rating. Statewide average is 4.7, well above the national norm for axe throwing. Most of the action concentrates inside the Baltimore-Washington corridor, but the western and southern reaches each get one or two surprisingly strong venues that locals fiercely defend.

Here is the state, region by region.

Baltimore and the Beltway

Baltimore anchors Maryland's axe throwing scene with the highest concentration of venues in the state.

Urban Axes -- Baltimore is the flagship operation. Part of the Urban Axes franchise that operates in multiple East Coast cities, the Baltimore location brings polished coaching, a full bar, and a competitive league structure. With a 4.9-star rating, it is consistently one of the best-reviewed axe throwing venues in the Mid-Atlantic. Urban Axes runs WATL-sanctioned leagues here, so if you want to compete beyond casual throws, this is where you start. The bar serves craft beer and cocktails, and the vibe leans young professional -- think post-work outings and date nights more than birthday parties, though they handle those too. For the deep Baltimore-only coverage including Federal Hill and Fells Point pairings, see our Baltimore axe throwing guide.

AxGard Towson sits just north of the city in Towson, rated 4.6 stars. It is a more neighborhood-focused venue -- smaller than Urban Axes but with a loyal following among Baltimore County residents who prefer not to drive into the city. Good for groups of 4-8.

Rage Room -- Glen Burnie at 4.4 stars combines axe throwing with their core business: smashing things. If your group wants to throw axes AND obliterate old electronics with a sledgehammer, Glen Burnie delivers that double adrenaline hit. The axe throwing is a secondary offering here, not the main event, so do not expect the coaching depth of a dedicated venue.

Browse all Baltimore axe throwing venues or explore the full Maryland directory.

The DC Suburbs -- Montgomery and Prince George's Counties

The Maryland suburbs of Washington DC have quietly built a solid axe throwing corridor. These venues pull from both the Maryland and DC populations, making them some of the busiest in the state.

Sister Axe Throwing -- Gaithersburg is the crown jewel. A perfect 5.0-star rating -- and it is earned. Sister Axe is a reservation-only venue (no walk-ins, period) that delivers an intimate, coaching-intensive experience. The smaller capacity means your group gets serious attention, and the instructors are known for being patient with nervous first-timers. If you have someone in your group who is hesitant about throwing sharp objects, Sister Axe is where to take them. Located in the I-270 corridor, it is convenient for Rockville, Germantown, and Frederick commuters. Cross-traffic from DC also makes this a strong pick if you live in Northwest DC or Bethesda -- shorter drive than the District-proper venues with better coaching depth.

Adventure Axes -- Sandy Spring is another 5.0-star operation in Montgomery County. Sandy Spring is deep suburban -- horse country, not strip malls -- and Adventure Axes plays off that rural-adjacent vibe with a backyard feel. Good for birthday parties and family groups.

Bad Axe Throwing -- Waldorf brings the national Bad Axe franchise to Charles County. Rated 4.7 stars, Bad Axe Waldorf serves the southern Maryland and Prince George's County corridor. The franchise model means consistent quality, online booking, and standardized coaching. If you have thrown at a Bad Axe location elsewhere, you know what to expect.

For DC-area throwers, also check our Washington DC axe throwing guide and Baltimore guide.

Howard County and the I-95 Corridor

AxGard Axes -- Ellicott City is the original AxGard location, rated 4.9 stars. Ellicott City is a historic mill town about 20 minutes west of Baltimore, and AxGard fits the town's independent-business character. The venue is well-regarded for its coaching quality and ambiance. If you are choosing between AxGard Ellicott City and AxGard Towson, Ellicott City is the better-reviewed option and worth the extra drive.

Chill Axes -- Crofton at 4.9 stars serves the Anne Arundel County corridor between Baltimore and Annapolis. The name is not ironic -- Chill Axes actually delivers a more relaxed atmosphere than the competitive-leaning venues in Baltimore proper. Good for groups that want fun without intensity. The location off Route 3 at Davidsonville Road makes it accessible from both the Annapolis area and the BWI corridor.

Harford County and the Upper Bay

Crabby Axe Throwing -- Bel Air leans into Maryland's crab identity with a 4.9-star rating. Bel Air is Harford County's hub, about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore on I-95. The venue draws from the Aberdeen Proving Ground military community as well as Harford County families.

Route 22 Hatchet House -- Aberdeen at 4.9 stars serves the northern I-95 corridor. Aberdeen itself is a military town (home of Aberdeen Proving Ground), and Route 22 benefits from that steady population base. If you are driving between Baltimore and Philadelphia and want to stop for an hour of throwing, Aberdeen is a convenient exit.

Western Maryland

Fore Axes -- Cumberland at 4.8 stars is the westernmost axe throwing venue in Maryland, sitting in the Appalachian mountains near the West Virginia and Pennsylvania borders. Cumberland is a small city with an outsized outdoor recreation scene -- the C&O Canal trail, Rocky Gap State Park, and now axe throwing. Fore Axes gives Western Maryland residents a local option instead of driving 90 minutes to Baltimore or DC.

Hagers X Games -- Hagerstown at 3.7 stars is the only venue in Washington County. The lower rating puts it below most Maryland venues, but for Hagerstown-area residents, it is the closest option by far. Check recent reviews before booking.

Southern Maryland

Viking Axe Throwing and Rentals -- Leonardtown is a 5.0-star mobile and fixed operation in St. Mary's County. Leonardtown is deep Southern Maryland -- closer to the Chesapeake Bay than to any highway -- and Viking Axe fills a gap that would otherwise require an hour drive to reach an alternative. They also do mobile events.

Odyssey Axe Throw -- Huntingtown is another 5.0-star mobile operation serving Calvert County and the broader Southern Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia region. Odyssey brings a custom axe throwing trailer to events, corporate outings, and private parties. For large groups or events where you want the axe throwing to come to you, Odyssey is the play. Check our mobile axe throwing guide for how these operations work.

Kiss Axe -- Newburg at 5.0 stars is tucked into Charles County as part of the Southern Maryland Paintball complex. It is an unconventional pairing -- paintball, axe throwing, and outdoor recreation on one property. If your group has varied interests, this is one of the few places in Maryland where you can throw axes and play paintball in the same afternoon.

The Central Corridor

Stratosphere Social -- Eldersburg at 4.2 stars in Carroll County positions itself as more of a social entertainment venue with axe throwing as one activity among several. The Eldersburg location serves the Carroll County and western Baltimore County population. Not a pure axe throwing venue, but a reasonable option for groups that want multiple activities.

Sister Axe Gaithersburg: The Reservation-Only Standout

Sister Axe Throwing deserves its own section because it operates differently from every other Maryland axe venue. The Gaithersburg storefront accepts no walk-ins -- ever. Every session is booked online or by phone, every lane gets a dedicated coach for the duration of your reservation, and the whole operation is designed around the small-group / first-timer / nervous-thrower segment.

What that looks like in practice:

• Group sizes 2-12 are the sweet spot. Larger groups can book multiple adjacent lanes.
• Coaching depth. Every reservation includes the full safety walkthrough, one-handed and two-handed throw mechanics, scoring rules, and active coaching throughout the session. First-timers consistently land their first stick within the first 8-10 throws.
• Session pricing runs roughly $30-$40 per person for 60-75 minutes -- a touch above Maryland average, which the coaching-density justifies.
• Booking lead time. Friday-Saturday 5-9 PM books out 2-3 weeks ahead. Weekday afternoons and Sunday late-mornings are usually 2-3 days ahead. Birthday/bachelorette groups should book 4-6 weeks ahead.
• Location math. The Gaithersburg location off I-270 / MD-355 puts Sister Axe inside 15-25 minutes of Rockville, Bethesda, Germantown, Frederick, Silver Spring, and Northwest DC. For Maryland-DC border residents, it consistently beats threading downtown DC traffic to a 14th Street venue.

For first-timers, date nights, and groups with anyone who is on the fence about throwing sharp objects, this is the highest-coached experience in the Maryland map. The 5.0-star rating across hundreds of reviews is the social-proof confirmation.

The Hagerstown / I-70 Western Corridor

The I-70 corridor running from Frederick through Hagerstown into Western Maryland is the under-covered axe throwing zone in the state. Two venues serve this stretch:

• Hagers X Games (Hagerstown). The only Washington County axe option. The 3.7-star rating is the lowest of the Maryland venue set, but for Hagerstown-anchored residents driving 60-75 minutes east to Frederick / Gaithersburg or 70 minutes south to Martinsburg WV is a hard sell. Confirm recent reviews before booking; the venue serves the I-70 / I-81 interchange catchment.
• Fore Axes (Cumberland). Cumberland is Western Maryland proper -- 30 miles past Hagerstown on I-68 in the Appalachian foothills. The 4.8-star rating reflects a small dedicated venue serving the C&O Canal / Rocky Gap / outdoor-recreation crowd. For Western Maryland residents this is the closest dedicated axe option by 90+ minutes.

If you live in the I-81 corridor (Hagerstown, Martinsburg WV, Winchester VA, Chambersburg PA) and Hagers X Games does not fit, the cross-border alternative worth knowing about is Big Timber Hatchet House in Martinsburg, WV -- a 5.0-star dedicated venue 30 minutes west on I-81 that has become one of the best-rated axe venues in the broader Appalachian region. It is technically across the state line but for Hagerstown-anchored throwers it is functionally a Maryland alternative.

How Maryland Compares

Maryland punches above its weight. Five venues carry a perfect 5.0-star rating, and the statewide average of 4.7 is well above the national norm. The density of mobile axe throwing services is also notable -- Southern Maryland's rural character has driven operators to bring the experience to customers rather than waiting for customers to find fixed locations.

Where to Throw Based on Where You Are Coming From

The Maryland venue map covers a 200-mile span -- Cumberland to Leonardtown. For most throwers the question reduces to "which venue is closest to my zip code." Here is the cheat sheet by starting point:

If you live in Bowie, Laurel, or Greenbelt -- the I-95 between Baltimore and DC -- you are inside 30 minutes of three different venues (Sister Axe, AxGard Ellicott City, Urban Axes Baltimore). The tiebreaker is what else you want to do that night: dinner in Federal Hill points toward Urban Axes, dinner in old Ellicott City points to AxGard, dinner in downtown Bethesda or a Rockville Town Center pairing points to Sister Axe.

Picking the Right Maryland Venue

For a first-time session: Sister Axe Throwing in Gaithersburg (reservation-only, coaching-focused, 5.0 stars) or Chill Axes in Crofton (relaxed vibe, 4.9 stars).

For competitive throwers: Urban Axes Baltimore. WATL leagues, tournament hosting, and the most experienced coaching staff in the state. The full Baltimore-only picture lives in our Baltimore guide.

For groups of 10+: Bad Axe Waldorf (franchise consistency, group packages) or Urban Axes Baltimore (bar, capacity). See our large groups guide.

For a date night: Urban Axes Baltimore (bar, atmosphere) or AxGard Ellicott City (historic town, dinner nearby). Our date night guide has planning tips.

For a private event: Odyssey Axe Throw or Viking Axe Throwing -- both mobile, both 5.0 stars, both will bring the experience to your location.

For families: Adventure Axes in Sandy Spring or Crabby Axe in Bel Air. Check our kids guide for age requirements.

For DC-side throwers who want to leave the District: Sister Axe Gaithersburg if you are in Northwest DC or Bethesda. Bad Axe Waldorf if you are in Southeast DC or northern PG County. Adventure Axes Sandy Spring if you are coming up from Silver Spring. All three are typically faster than threading Center City DC traffic to a 14th Street venue.

Before You Go

Reservations: Book ahead at every venue. Sister Axe requires reservations -- no exceptions. Most other venues accept walk-ins but fill up on weekends. Use online booking where available.

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes mandatory everywhere. Comfortable clothes that let you swing freely. See our full what to wear guide.

Alcohol: Policies vary. Urban Axes has a full bar. Some venues are dry. A few are BYOB for beer and wine only. Confirm with your venue before bringing a cooler.

Driving distances: Baltimore to Cumberland is about 2.5 hours. Baltimore to Leonardtown is about 1.5 hours. Most venues cluster within an hour of the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

FAQ

What is the best axe throwing venue in Maryland?

Sister Axe Throwing in Gaithersburg has a perfect 5.0-star rating and the most coaching-focused experience. Urban Axes Baltimore is the best for competitive throwers and bar atmosphere. "Best" depends on what you want.

How much does axe throwing cost in Maryland?

Expect $25-$45 per person for a standard session. Group packages and party rates vary by venue. Sister Axe and Urban Axes are at the higher end; Stratosphere Social and Hagers X Games tend to be more affordable.

Are there axe throwing leagues in Maryland?

Yes. Urban Axes Baltimore runs WATL-sanctioned leagues with regular seasons and playoffs. Several other venues run in-house leagues. See our leagues guide for details on competitive axe throwing.

Can I do axe throwing near Annapolis?

Chill Axes in Crofton is the closest dedicated venue to Annapolis, about a 15-minute drive. Urban Axes Baltimore and AxGard Ellicott City are both within 40 minutes.

Is there axe throwing on the Eastern Shore?

Currently, no dedicated axe throwing venues operate on the Eastern Shore. Your closest options are Chill Axes in Crofton or Crabby Axe in Bel Air. Mobile services like Odyssey Axe Throw and Viking Axe Throwing may serve the Eastern Shore for private events -- contact them directly.

Where should DC residents throw -- District venues or Maryland venues?

Depends on where in DC you live. Northwest DC and Bethesda residents are usually faster to Sister Axe Gaithersburg than to a 14th Street DC venue, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Capitol Hill and Southeast DC residents are usually faster to Bad Axe Waldorf or Kiss Axe Newburg. The Washington DC guide covers the District-proper picks; this guide covers the Maryland side. Run the drive in Google Maps before booking.

Are any Maryland axe venues family-owned?

Sister Axe Throwing in Gaithersburg, Adventure Axes in Sandy Spring, Viking Axe in Leonardtown, Odyssey Axe in Huntingtown, and Kiss Axe in Newburg are all small, independently-run operations. AxGard runs as a small regional brand with two MD locations (Ellicott City + Towson). Urban Axes and Bad Axe are larger franchise operations.

Where can I throw on a Sunday in Maryland?

Most Maryland venues run Sunday hours. Urban Axes Baltimore, AxGard Ellicott City, Chill Axes Crofton, and Bad Axe Waldorf are all reliable Sunday picks. Sister Axe requires reservations any day. Confirm Sunday hours directly with the venue before driving -- a few smaller operations are closed Mondays AND Sundays.

Is mobile axe throwing actually worth it for Maryland events?

Yes, especially for Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore where fixed venues are sparse. Odyssey Axe Throw and Viking Axe both run custom trailers with multi-lane setups that produce a real axe throwing experience -- not a watered-down version of the venue product. For backyard parties, corporate events, weddings, and Eastern Shore beach houses, the mobile option saves the entire group a 60-90 minute drive each way. See our mobile axe throwing guide for the planning logic.

Find Your Venue

Maryland's 16 venues cover more ground than you would expect from a mid-sized state. From a five-star reservation-only studio in the DC suburbs to a paintball-and-axes combo in rural Charles County, the options are genuinely varied. Whether you are a competitive thrower looking for WATL leagues or a first-timer who wants patient coaching and a low-pressure atmosphere, there is a Maryland venue that fits.

Browse all Maryland axe throwing venues or search our full directory to find axe throwing anywhere in the US. For deep city-level coverage, see our Baltimore axe throwing guide and our Washington DC axe throwing guide for the DC-side of the metro. Across the Potomac, the Sterling VA guide covers the NoVa side of the DC region and the Virginia state guide maps the rest of the Commonwealth. For the I-95 northbound continuation through Wilmington DE and the Philadelphia metro, see the Pennsylvania state guide.