Combat Zone Paintball

Combat Zone is the valley's main outdoor paintball field, about 20 minutes south of the Strip near Sloan. Four refereed fields: a turfed speedball arena with inflatable bunkers, two bigger scenario fields on rough ground, and a smaller maze course for gel blasters, plus a shaded staging area with cooling mist for the summer. Rental packages start at $42 per player for standard .68-cal or lower-impact .50-cal paintball, which covers all-day admission, marker, hopper, mask and air but no paint. Paint has to be bought on site: 500 rounds run $24, so a realistic single-player day lands around $66. Younger kids get their own lane, with gel-blaster packages from $20 (ages 5, 7 or up depending on the model) and ammo included. Wednesdays discount nearly everything.

Come prepared and the day works. It runs four days a week only, Wednesday and Friday plus the weekend, on seasonal hours: June through August adds night play under lights to 10 PM, while September through May closes at 8. Check the calendar before driving out. Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind ruining and bring a change for the car; paintballs sting and welt, which is why jumpsuits ($10) and chest protectors ($5) rent for a reason. Extras add up quickly (ammo, gloves, air-tank refills), and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian on the waiver. Outside food is welcome at the shaded picnic tables and spectators get in free, which makes it a legitimately good birthday-party venue.