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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.