Entry No. 50 — the Boise file — filed under: arcade-play
Base Camp Pong + Axe
A mountaineering-themed gastropub built around two unlikely centerpieces: a fleet of premium Stiga ping-pong tables you rent by the half-hour or hour, and a walled-off, guide-led axe-throwing room (minimum age applies). Beyond the headline activities there are arcade games, beer pong, and cornhole, plus a dog-friendly patio, all backed by a scratch-made kitchen. It sits right at the edge of Ann Morrison Park, so it's an easy pairing with a riverside walk.
The story
Set along the perimeter of Ann Morrison Park at 815 W Ann Morrison Park Dr, Base Camp Pong + Axe feels like a high-country expedition depot landed directly on the Boise riverfront. You didn't hear it from us, but this isn't your average dive with a warped basement table in the back. The main floor centers around a fleet of premium Stiga ping-pong tables available to rent in strict 30- or 60-minute blocks, where innocent warm-up rallies routinely turn into high-stakes rivalries.
Step through the partition into the walled-off axe-throwing room, where staff guides run safety walk-throughs before coaching you on hurling steel hatchets into pine targets. When your arms give out, the rest of the venue operates like an indoor lawn party: arcade cabinets, beer pong setups, and cornhole boards line the space, anchored by a scratch-made kitchen serving Wagyu burgers and campfire fries alongside local beers on tap, plus a dog-friendly patio looking out toward the park.
What it's like
Expect a clattering, high-octane room where the heavy thunk of axes sinking into wood echoes against the rhythmic pop of ping-pong balls. Peak evening crowds make the axe bays warm and the floor noisy, so reserving your Stiga table or throwing lane online ahead of time is critical. Weekday doors open at 4 p.m., making an early evening drop-in the smart move if you want to grab a drink and play before the post-work rush fills the lanes.
The move: Book a half-hour on a Stiga table for a competitive ping-pong match, then settle the score by chucking axes next door.
📍 Before you go Opens 4pm on weekdays; axe room is 16+; ping-pong tables booked in 30/60-min slots; reserve ahead for groups.
- 📍 Boise (Ann Morrison)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 815 W Ann Morrison Park Dr, Boise, ID 83706
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Stein Luminary — Walk 0.1 miles onto the Boise State campus line to contrast physical axe throwing with 90 feet of interactive digital touchscreens.
- Erma Hayman House — Head 0.5 miles into the River Street neighborhood to tour a preserved historic home before diving into high-energy bar games.
- Deja-Moo, the Two-Headed Calf at the Idaho State Museum — Pair oddball penny-arcade taxidermy at the Idaho State Museum with competitive table tennis half a mile down the road.
- Realms — Trade timed Stiga ping-pong rentals for flat-rate admission and unlimited floor play at an arcade a mile away.
Good to know
Do I need to reserve a table or axe lane in advance?
Yes. Ping-pong tables are rented in 30- or 60-minute slots and axe lanes book out fast, so making an advance reservation online is strongly advised for groups.
Is there an age limit for axe throwing?
Yes, participants in the axe-throwing room must be 16 or older, and sessions are run under the supervision of staff guides.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio, but they are not permitted inside the indoor gaming or axe-throwing areas.
What games are available besides axe throwing and ping-pong?
The space includes classic arcade games, cornhole setups, and beer pong tables alongside the central Stiga ping-pong fleet.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: grabthehandle.com · Yelp · visitboise.com · Tripadvisor
last checked: 2026-06-24